Griffon winter 2018

PUBLISHED IN THE INTEREST OF THE 108TH TRAINING COMMAND

GRIFFON

THE

Vol 41.4 Winter 2018

“First in Training”

Yearin

REVIEW 2017

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 3

From the Commanding General

By Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen Commanding General 108th Training Command (IET)

Teammates! I take this opportunity to congratulate you on the extraordinary performance and service to our Nation that you each demonstrated in 2017. Last year was marked with remarkable accomplishments in mission execution, training and Soldier readiness. We completed the arduous task of Reformation of the Command and its three Divisions; We produced over 240 new Drill Sergeants with over 20 percent graduating on the Commandant’s list; We were integral to revamping and getting back to the basics of leader development at Cadet Summer Training; We had nearly 500 Soldiers on mobilization or long term ADOS orders; We were instrumental in helping our Army build the force at the fastest rate since World War II by directly training over 16,000 citizenvolunteers and contributing to commissioning over 4,000 new officers from the Army ROTC program; We strengthened Families and their resiliency through a proactive Family Programs initiative and increased Safety readiness to a point where we are on the cusp of having a significant number of our companies and battalions earning the Army safety streamer; Our Soldiers and Families, particularly in Texas and Puerto Rico, endured and are still recovering from direct impacts from hurricanes and our Teammates in the west overcame loss from wildfires. In sum, a particularly amazing year and this issue of The Griffon will serve to give you a glimpse of the myriad of accomplishments achieved throughout the year.Yet there is so much more that we can, and indeed, must do.

I suggest that 2018 will be one of the most pivotal years in the history of the 108th and its three great Divisions.The Nation’s expectation to grow and ready the Army will be even more demanding as our world becomes more uncertain, ambiguous and volatile.

The core missions assigned to build

the Army will increase and that will translate to increased reliance upon the Soldiers, Families and Civilians of the 108th. Certainly, we will be mobilizing more of our capability to increase the end strength of our Army. Regardless of your unit of assignment within the 108th, all will be called upon to contribute to our mission accomplishment. Drill Sergeant, Instructor, PMS/APMS, logistician, HR professional, or other key enabler within our formations, everyone is vital to achieving this mission. Simply, this is a no fail mission as the defense of our Nation is at stake.

In my estimation, the difference maker within the 108th Training Command is engaged leadership at every echelon within the Command. Acquiring the skills and discipline for combat does not just happen. It comes with practice, conditioning, training and individual readiness.The beaches of Normandy, the dense forest of the Ardennes, the rice patties of Vietnam, the deserts of the Middle East and the mountains of Afghanistan all called the American Soldier to take up arms to protect the interests of our Nation. Leaders cannot begin getting ready when the crucible of combat is at hand.

Real leadership skills are honed and forged in garrison to be ready for the challenges of conflict.

Preparing for war in times of peace is the responsibility of every American Soldier.

As I have shared before, what

I suggest that 2018 will be one of the most pivotal years in the history of the 108th and its three great Divisions. The Nation’s expectation to grow and ready the Army will be even more demanding as our world becomes more uncertain, ambiguous and volatile. is particularly unique about the 108th Training Command is that most of the formation is comprised of leaders, defined by the Army as a Sergeant or above. With that, I expect all of us as leaders to hone and forge our leadership prowess while are in garrison while we have time on our side. I expect all leaders, officer, warrant officer and non-commissioned officer, to be the leader the Army and indeed the Nation has called you to be. I expect leaders in the 108th to be physically ready. If you’re not, start today. I expect leaders in the 108th to be professionally developed through their requisite PME. If you’re not educationally ready, start today. I expect leaders of the 108th to maintain their medical and dental readiness. If you’re not “green” in your personnel readiness indicators, start today.The list goes on and as leaders, you know what right looks like. At the end of the day, I challenge you to ready yourself in 2018.

In the 242 year history of our

Army, we have seen time and again examples of great leaders. On October 24, 1944, Major General Aubrey S. Newman found his 24th Infantry Division returning with General Douglas MacArthur to the Philippines.The amphibious assault was mired down at Leyte Island and Soldier losses were mounting on the beaches. MG Newman, astutely recognizing the circumstance he and his Division were in shouted out,“get the hell off the beach, Follow Me!”This served to motivate his Soldiers which inspired them to victory and eventually became the Infantry’s battle cry.

I assure you that 2018 will be one of the greatest years in the history of the Command. In an effort to keep the 108th Training Command from becoming mired in the minutia of mundane or irrelevant tasks, I simply share this,“Follow Me!” Follow me in making ourselves ready and the 108th Training Command “First in Training!

PUBLISHED IN THE INTEREST OF THE 108TH TRAINING COMMAND

GRIFFON

108th Training Command (IET)

95th Training Division (IET)

Commanding General Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen

Commander Brig. Gen. Andrew Bassford

Command Sgt. Maj. Command Sgt. Maj. Robert J. Riti

Command Sgt. Maj. Command Sgt. Maj. John Stumph

Deputy Commanding General Brig. Gen Mark E. Black

Public Affairs Officer Capt. Adrienne Bryant

Command Chief Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer 5 Edward Salazar

Email: adrienne.bryant.mil@mail.mil

Chief of Staff Col. Edward H. Merrigan, Jr.

98th Training Division (IET)

Command Executive Officer Mr. Charles E. Fairbanks

108th Training Command Public Affairs (IET)

Public Affairs NCOIC (vacant)

Commanding General Brig. Gen. Miles Davis Command Sgt. Maj. Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Priest Public Affairs Officer Maj. Michelle A. Lunato

Public Affairs Officer Maj. Lawrence Carmack

Email: michelle.a.lunato.mil@mail.mil

Email: lawrence.k.carmack.mil@mail.mil

Public Affairs NCOIC (vacant)

Public Affairs NCOIC Sgt. 1st Class Lisa M Litchfield

104th Training Division (LT)

Email: lisa.m.litchfield2.mil@mail.mil

Public Affairs Specialist Spec. Tynisha Daniel Email: tynisha.l.daniel.mil@mail.mil

or michelle.a.lunato.civ@mail.mil

Commanding General Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Edwards II Command Sgt. Maj. Command Sgt. Maj. Peter T. Trotter Public Affairs Officer Mrs. Kelly Countryman (Interim)

“First in Training”

Cover: In each of our formations they are there - the iconic United States Army Reserve Drill Sergeant.

We know them immediately by their distinctive headgear, the bade on their uniform, the inherent authority in the way they carry themselves. But we are so much more. The 108th Training Command (IET) with all of our down trace units exists because of ALL the professional Soldiers in our formation. Those who provide support, those who challenge us in competition, those who volunteer mission after mission, those who approve our authorizations, staff our packets and process our actions. We are fit to fight because we are a TEAM and each of us provides a piece of the picture to make us “First in Training!”

Photos by 108th Training Command (IET) PAOPhoto by Spec. Tynisha L. Daniel

Email: kelly.m.countryman.civ@mail.mil

Public Affairs NCOIC (vacant)

The Griffon is published four times a year and is an authorized publication for members of the Army. Contents of The Griffon are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or the 108th Training Command (IET). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including supplements and inserts, does not in any way constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army or Knight Communications, Inc. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication must be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to the race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, use or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The Griffon is an unofficial publication authorized by AR360-1. Editorial content is prepared, edited, and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the 108th Training Command (IET). The Griffon is published by Knight Communications, Inc., 10150 Mallard Creek Road, Suite 201, Charlotte, NC, 28262 — a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army, under exclusive written contract with the 108th Training Command (IET). Material for publication may be submitted to: PAO, 1330 Westover Street, Charlotte, NC 28205-5124.

To coordinate news coverage, contact the 108th Training Command Public Affairs Office - 704-227-2829 Deadlines: Spring: March 2nd 2018

108th Training Command (IET) • Charlotte, NC Vol. 41, No. 4 Winter 2018

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 5

From the Command Sergeant Major

By Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Riti 108th Training Command (IET)

Since my last article, I’ve attended many different events to include the Drill SGT of the Year (DSOY) and Best Warrior Competitions (BWC).Watching these outstanding Soldiers compete is greater than watching the Super Bowl or any other Pro-football game (by the way, I stopped watching the NFL due to obvious reasons).

The men and women who compete at the DSOY and BWC events know the meaning of giving it everything they got.Their reasons for competing are never personal but to bring honor

to their units.They are truly the cream of the crop and epitomize what being a Warrior is all about.The competition is both physically and mentally demanding and is scheduled with practically no time between events.

The competition is usually spread over several days with between three to four hours of sleep a night.They are tested in many areas to include Army weapons, first aid, skill levels, land navigation and Army programs just to name a few. The competitors get cuts and bruises in some of the obstacles they have to negotiate but that doesn’t faze them nor does it stop them.At the end of these competitions, just one person comes out as the overall winner, but actually they are all winners.They are the best of the best and I couldn’t commend them enough.

And as I attend other events which include the top leadership of other commands, I am constantly reminded and thanked for the outstanding and professionalism that our Drill SGTs provide through support missions.

The CSA, the SMA and many other very high ranking leaders have stated over and over that the Army could not accomplish their mission without us.That recognition is a reflection of every one of our Soldiers from the Commanders down to the lowest ranking Soldier. It takes a team and when everyone is involved and

...The CSA, the SMA and many other very high ranking leaders have stated over and over that the Army could not accomplish their mission without us. That recognition is a reflection of every one of our Soldiers from the Commanders down to the lowest ranking Soldier.

It takes a team and when everyone is involved and everyone does their part, you will always have successful results. everyone does their part, you will always have successful results.

So I thank and commend every one of you as well.While I’m writing this article, we are ever so close to another confrontation with an enemy which obviously underestimates the strength of not only our Army but our Armed Forces.We always did and always will have the strongest and greatest Army the world will ever know.We need to remain ready at all times and being ready includes many areas. Medical Readiness, maintaining your physical condition and completing your required level of Professional Military

Education is part of that. Our Soldiers need to be ready to assume leadership positions and take charge at any given time. Some times on a moment’s notice.

As my battle buddy MG McQueen always says, you can’t just be content in performing your duties and responsibilities.You need to be committed and go above and beyond what you’re responsible for. I need each and every one of you to ensure that if and when the Nation calls on you ‘again’, there’s nothing that will stop you from being ‘ready to fight tonight’.

First in Training

6 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

IN THIS ISSUE

Columns 3 From the Commanding General

23 From the 98th Training Division (IET) Commander

5 From the Command Sergeant Major

33 From the 104th Training Division (LT)

18 From the 95th Training Division

Commander

(IET) Commander

12 7 224 Years of Service:

108th TC bids farewell to retirees

9 108th Training Command (IET) Celebrates, Honors 10 Retirees

10 MISSION 2017 12 DSOY 2017 14 2017 Drill Sergeant Graduates 15 ‘New Kids on the Block’ 16 SOLDIERS PROMOTIONED IN 2017 ~ HOOAH! 19 First Brigade Honors Veterans with Flights to Washington

20 Not Just a Badge 21 A Solid ‘ASIST’

34

22 1st Brigades Evening of Legacy and Tradition 28 Gold is the Goal

24 Training Mission

Transfers to New Leadership

31 Camp Blanding Welcomes New Commander

26 Reserve and Active Drill Sergeants

34 104th Providing Support

Work Together at Ft. Jackson

28

36 COC Joint Base Lewis 39 The Road Less Traveled 40 U.S. Army Reserve Talent Magnet 42 Around the Command:

108th Training Command Celebrates Newly Promoted Soldiers

44 SHARP 46 The USAR Minute Man Scholarship 63 USO of NC Partners with 108th Training Command (IET)

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 7

224 Years of Service: 108th TC Bids Farewell to Retirees

By SPC Tynisha Daniel

“Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually challenged for 224 collective years of service, each of our honorees swore that they would uphold and the defend the Constitution of the United States of America; today we acknowledge and recognize six American Soldiers rendering their final salute to a grateful nation,” said Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general of the 108th Training Command.

The 108th has been instrumental in providing quality training to Soldiers from all Army components for more than 60 years.

While the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On November 4, 2017, family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together at 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training), for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation.

The 108th celebration of service ceremony recognizes Soldiers for their distinguished service to U.S. Army and the Nation as they prepare to transition into civilian careers or fully retire.This was the second celebration held to honor service 224 YEARS OF SERVICE continued on Page 8 members during fiscal year 2017.

Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training) and Sgt. Maj. Paula James congratulate six retiring U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers during a ceremonial celebration of service on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

Retiree Msg. John Tate is congratulated with a certificate of appreciation from Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 224 years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

Retiree Col. John Vernick is congratulated with The Meritorious Service award from Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 224 years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

8 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

224 Years of Service Cont’d from page 7

Staff Sgt. Wanda Barron is congratulated with a certificate of appreciation from Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 224 years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

belongs to the Army Reserve, it is operationally controlled by Training and Doctrine Command, which oversees of 32 Army Schools and trains more than 500,000 Soldiers and service members annually.

The retirees honored were Col. John Vernic, Maj. Randy Cook, Master Sgt. John Tate, Master Sgt. Jerry Williams, Sgt. 1st Class Silvia JonesWallace, and Staff Sgt. Wanda Barron.

Over the course of the celebration, McQueen spoke to the audience about how these noteworthy Soldier’s careers have impacted the U.S. Army Reserve, addressed how their devotion made the Army better, and personally thanked each of the honorees for the sacrifices they and their families had.

“The mission continues,” said McQueen addressing the formation.

“It is to the men and women

standing in formation today to accept the torch from these six who transition to retirement from active service, it is to those in formation to take which each of these who committed a lifetime to preserving and now protect that which they gave blood sweat and tears for, we must ready ourselves to face the uncertain challenges of tomorrow.“ Each retiree received an opportunity to give their final remarks with many leading to emotional speeches.They shared their individual military histories, the sacrifices that their families gave in support of their service, and they shared what they will miss most about the Army.

“To our honored retirees, you are changing a season, you will always be able to be branded with the moniker of being known as a Veteran, we are thankful for each of you and your contribution to the American way of life,” said McQueen.

Sgt. First Class Silvia Jones-Wallace is congratulated with a certificate of appreciation from Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 224 years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

Retiree Msg. Jerry Williams is congratulated with a certificate of appreciation from Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 224 years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

Retiree Maj. Randy Cook is congratulated with The Meritorious Service award from Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 224 years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 9

108th Training Command (IET) Celebrates, Honors 10 Retirees

By Sgt. Christina Dion 319th Mobile Public Affairs Detachmen

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Retiring from any career field is a monumental accomplishment.

They all have ups and downs, but serving in the military for more than 20 years not only affects the Soldier, but their Families. Soldiers endure many sacrifices such as deployments, training events, and changing where their family calls home often but still choose to serve in the Army Reserve while holding civilian careers and managing families. This distinguished accomplishment of service was recognized by the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training) at the Charlotte Mecklenburg

Police and Fire Training Academy June 10, 2017.

The retirees honored were: Col. Tony M. Ratliff, Col. Douglas M. Stone, Col. Christopher F. Foxx, Lt. Col. W. Kent Hyde, Lt. Col. Valerie Clay, Jr., Maj. Gerald Taylor, Master Sgt. Kathleen F. Foster, Sgt. 1st Class Emma J. Trabue, Sgt. 1st Class Charlene M. Corpening and Staff Sgt. Edwin Sepulveda.

“These ten American’s didn’t just serve their Nation, they each served with character and dedication that helped to make our Army the greatest fighting force ever assembled,” said Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commander of the 108th Training Command (IET).

“Today brings to close long and distinguished careers of six officers and four noncommissioned officers that total 222 years of service,” McQueen said. “If we put 222 years on a timeline and look back, we wind up in 1795 when the United States was a fledgling democracy and was just stepping out on its journey to be the great Nation we are today.”

Some Soldiers retire with small farewells; others are honored in a larger ceremony. Taylor, who brought his mother and young son, said this ceremony means a lot to him.

“It celebrates the sacrifices that you made,” Taylor said. “I still work for the military in

a civilian capacity so I’ll still be around. This just marks the ending of one journey and the continuation of another.” Like Taylor, many of the retirees will continue to serve the Army but as a civilian.

While the Army Reserve retired ten Soldiers, McQueen said that the void of their loss will be felt but had a message for everyone else. “Those of you that still have time to serve, we still have room for you in the formation, please don’t ever forget that.”

While Taylor and his fellow retirees celebrate the end of their military careers, the journey is just beginning for others.

10 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

MISSION 2017

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 11

12 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

DSOY 2017

The 2017 TRADOC Drill Sergeant and AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year competition concluded Sept 15 at Gammon Field, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Competitors were graded on multiple warrior tasks and drills and the winners were announced during a closing ceremony. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel/ released

FORT LEONARD WOOD Mo. — After a week of intense competition, the 2017 TRADOC Drill Sergeant and AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year has come to an end.

As one the Army’s most physical and mentally demanding competitions, the five day event gives opportunity to some of the Army’s leading noncommissioned officers (NCO) to compete for the titles of Drill Sergeant and AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, Sept. 1215 2017.

“It’s a chance for the Army’s best trainers to showcase what they know , but what really makes it important is the comradery that this builds, the teamwork,” said Sgt 1st Class Brandon Laspe, the NonCommissioned Officer in Charge and 2016 AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year.

This years competition hosted 16 competitors marking it as the first year that one Drill and AIT Sergeant of the Year be selected from the active and reserve components combined.

“I think having one winner is the right thing to do, we’re all one Army,” said Staff Sgt. Justine Bottorff, a competitor and drill sergeant assigned to the 98th

Training Division from Buffalo N.Y. Although the competitions would only have one winner Army wide, the competitors did not let it affect their motivation in competing, seeing themselves as teammates above all else.

Allowing some of the Army’s most promising NCOs the opportunity to volunteer and

showcase their talents and professionalism at the DSOY and PSOY offers great opportunities for their future.

“Every time I’ve competed in any military competition I’ve come away better and stronger in knowing more than I did before,” said Laspe.

Competing for the 2017 title confirms NCOs’ abilities and

expertise as instructors, and builds morale and comradity between the competitors.

Similar to other Army competitions the DSOY focuses on each competitor’s ability to teach, as their day-to-day duties require them to teach the initial entry Soldier. Competitors are also on graded on their physical capabilities.

Drill Sergeant, Staff Sgt. Justine Bottorff completes evaluate a casualty (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) lane at the 2017 TRADOC Drill Sergeant and AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year competition. Competitors are graded on numerous warrior tasks at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. The competition runs Sept 11-15. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel/ released

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 13

“I arrived here (Fort Leonard Wood) a month ago, I was able to train here and back home to prepare for the events, “said Sgt. Christopher Moses, a drill sergeant assigned to the 95th training division from Lawton, Okla.

With events such as day/ night land navigation, multiple obstacle courses, a 12-mile ruck march and combatives, etc. the competitors’ days began before dawn and concluded late into the night.

“I came in expecting long days, we had to hit the ground running,” said Moses.

This year’s competition was like no other, the extended days weren’t “just another” duty day.

“Picture the army in your mind, that’s pretty much what they’re being tested on, its such a large variety of tasks, it really highlights the total Soldier,” said Laspe.

The 2017 Drill Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant of the Year are Drill Sergeant (Staff Sgt.) Chad Hickey, representing Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and AIT Platoon Sergeant Staff Sgt. Brian Ivery representing Presidio of Monterey, Calif.

Although winners of the competition did not include an Army Reserve Soldier, those competitors do not take it as a loss but as an opportunity to prepare and perform at next year’s competition.

“Anything worth having anything challenging is definitely well worth it in the end,” said Staff Sgt, Ivery.

“The thing that I really want them (competitors) to take away is that sense of pride and accomplishment in knowing that they made it to this level and successfully completed this

Drill Sergeant, Sgt. Christopher Moses assigned to the 95th training division performs dead lift on day 3 of the 2017 TRADOC Drill Sergeant and AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year competition. Competitors are graded on numerous warrior tasks. The competition runs Sept 11-15. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel/ released

competition, even just finishing is something that most people simply couldn’t do,” concluded Laspe.

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 15

‘New Kids on the Block’

By Terrence E. Miles and Kameika Jones 108th EAPC- Army Substance Abuse Program

Charlotte, N.C. — The 108th Training Command has some new faces aiding in the fight of Army Readiness in combat of Substance Abuse. Ms. Kameika Jones, (SAPC) and Mr. Terrence Miles (EAPC) join Ms. Samoa Brown, (ADCO) in completing the second and third leg of the Army Substance Abuse Program.

Terrence Miles, your Employee Assistance Program Coordinator (EAPC) aims to serve the Soldiers who test positive for illegal substance and/or have an alcohol issue. He is also committed to serving the Family members in whatever capacity he can to ensure their Soldier is combat ready. These programs include employment services, educational programs, short term counseling, etc. If the service cannot readily be provided, Mr. Miles can serve as a referral who can point you into the right direction.

Mr. Miles served in the Army National Guard for six years as a chaplain assistant and has a BS in Sociology and Education.

Past experiences have included time in education (K-12 and community college), mental health, and career development.

Mr. Miles has a passion for helping people who want better.

Soldiers and Family members seeking services should know that any interaction or conversation with Mr. Miles is held strictly confidential. Feel free to contact Mr. Miles via email Terrence.e.miles.ctr@mail.mil or his work number (704) 342-5107.

Ms. Kameika Jones is your new Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator (SAPC). Her main focus is serving the Soldiers who are assigned to test their units for drug testing of illegal substance and or have an alcohol issue. As a Prevention Coordinator, Ms. Jones conducts Unit Prevention Leader training as well as studying the trends of illegal substance use.

Ms. Jones visits units once a year to conduct Unit Risk Inventories (URI’s) as part of the effort to try to mitigate issues a Soldier endures from having turned to substance and alcohol abuse. Ms. Jones works alongside the EAPC to visit schools with heavily populated military children to spread awareness of drugs and their effects.

Ms. Jones served in the Army Reserve / AGR for nine years as a Human Resource NCOand has her BA in Political Science: Pre-law with a double minor in Psychology and Criminal Justice as well as an MBA in HR management. Ms. Jones was designated as a Unit Prevention Leader for four years while serving in the AGR program which has given her plenty of educational training and exposure to become an expert in the field.

Ms.Jones is here to help as SAPC the soldiers become subject matter expert and will be happy to talk more about the class dates and trainings and answer any questions Soldiers may have, allowing them to assist in the army strategy to combat the substance abuse issues. Feel free to contact Ms. Jones via email Kameika.l.jones.ctr@mail. mil.

16 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

SOLDIERS PROMOTIONED IN 2017 ~ HOOAH! G CHANCE C MOTICHEK - SSG GEORGE C MOURTOS - SSG MICHAEL A MYERS - SSG CASEY L NAPIER - SSG HAILONG L NGUYEN - SSG KEVIN T NIELSEN - SSG MICHAEL NIGRO, JR - SSG CORI L NOBLE - SSG EARLANDRIUS CHAVALYI PARKER - SSG AARON K PEAL - SSG CARLOS I PEREZCRESPO - SSG JESSE M PICARD - SSG RANDALL J PICKETT - SSG WALTER L PICKETTAY - SSG IANNETTA D PRATT - SSG EDUARDO T QUIROZ - SSG DENISE S RANGEL - SSG RICARDO S RIOS - SSG CHRISTIAN D RIVERAORTIZ - SSG TIFFIANY RIVERAWARD - SSG JENNIFER R ROMANIELLO - SSG KEIVEN E ROSA - SSG SONNY M ROSARIO - SSG RANDALL M RUE - SSG SAHIA L SANCHEZDIAZ - SSG ALNUEL SANCHEZLOPEZ - SSG DEVON J SCAREY - SSG CHRISTOPHER W SCHILLING - SSG ANASTASIA A SEARS - SSG REBECCA E SIRKEL - SSG BRYAN N SMITH - SSG ANTHONY W SNYDER - SSG GENE R STRANGE - SSG MONEI S THOMAS - SSG DAGMAR TORRES - SSG BRANDON L TYLER - SSG HECTOR M VEGA - SSG ISRAEL VELA - SSG KYLE E WADE - SSG LANCE R WAGNER - SSG NICKOLAS C WILLFORD - SSG RICHARD D WILSON - SGT ANGELA F ABBOTT - SGT KYLE P ACETO - SGT VICTOR A AGUILARRODRIGUEZ - SGT ANDREW S ALBERTS - SGT MUSTAPHA M ALHASSAN - SGT GREGORY W ALLEN - SGT MARK B ASZMAN, JR - SGT NICHOLAS Y ATKINSON - SGT DORIS B AVILES - SGT ANDREW BABA - SGT JONATHAN S BAER - SGT MORGAN R BAKER - SGT WARREN Z BALTESOLIVER - SGT DAVID J BARNES - SGT ANDREW T BARNETT - SGT BRETT A BARNEY - SGT FRANK BEAMON, III - SGT STEPHANIE L BEARD - SGT MATHEW J BEASLEY - SGT BLAKE R BERG - SGT TARON M BERGER - SGT TIFFANY D BIEN - SGT GENE H BILLS, III - SGT LUCAS E P BLACKBURN - SGT CHRISTOPHER M BONDY - SGT MICHEALA M BONDY - SGT DENNIS P BONTYA - SGT KAYLA C BOYNTON - SGT JAMES M BRENNAN - SGT MIKEL T BRIDGE - SGT CHELSEA K BROWN - SGT JONATHON M BROWN - SGT JAMIE M BRYANT - SGT SALVATORE J BULFAMANTE - SGT BARBARA J BUSH - SGT NICOLE R CABANELLAS - SGT MATTHAUS A CADWALLADER - SGT ANDREW S CALDERON - SGT TIMOTHY J CARR - SGT JERMAINE T CASSELL - SGT TAYLA B CHAPMANLASSITER - SGT KYLE C CHARSLEY - SGT BIN H CHEN - SGT TIMOTHY G CHO - SGT SCOTT J CLEAVER - SGT APRIL E CORVINO - SGT ANGELICA R CROUCH - SGT ALISSA M CUNNINGHAM - SGT DARREN D CUSTER - SGT GABRIELA M DACOSTA - SGT KEELA S DAVIS - SGT ROBERT L DAVIS, JR - SGT RYAN S DEGEORGE - SGT JUAN R DIAZRIVERA - SGT SCOTT A DIETLIN, JR - SGT DELMORE J DINGLE - SGT FRANSIS DISIMONEBIGGINS - SGT ZACHARY M DIXON - SGT JUSTIN L DOUYLLIEZ - SGT SCOTT S DOWNS - SGT NAYTASHA M DOYLE - SGT KODI R DYER - SGT SHANAE N EDWARDS - SGT BENJAMIN J ENSLOW - SGT CODIE J EVANS - SGT JACOB M FERRER - SGT SCOTT M FICCA - SGT JORDAN R FIGHTMASTER - SGT ANGEL T FIGUEROA - SGT KENDRA A FISHER - SGT JUSTIN A FORBES - SGT GARY FRANCIS - SGT MALIK R FRAZIER - SGT KENDEL J FRENCH - SGT MATTHEW D GARRISON - SGT ERNESTO V GATEWOOD - SGT MYESHIA S GIBBONS - SGT GREGORY M GIRARD - SGT WILLIAM J GODSIL - SGT ORLANDINA B GOMES - SGT JAIME T GONZALEZ, JR - SGT OMAR A GONZALEZ - SGT DENNIS E GOODMAN - SGT CIERRA J GRANT - SGT KINGSLEY K GRANT - SGT CHRISTINA N GRAY - SGT MORGAN L GRAY - SGT JERMAINE A GREEN - SGT COLLIN M GREIG - SGT SCOTT M GROVE - SGT YESENIA GUERRA - SGT MICHAEL A GUERRERO - SGT ANDREW J GUNDERSON - SGT ROBERT D GUTIERREZ - SGT JESSE T HACKNEY - SGT SARAH E HAINES - SGT SOLOMON Y H HAN - SGT GABRIELA I HANSEN - SGT CHRISTOPHER M HARDY, JR - SGT CHRISTOPHER J HARRIS - SGT CODY T HARRIS - SGT RICHARD D HARRIS - SGT WILLIAMRAYMOND F HARRIS - SGT TYLER J HAYES - SGT JOHN D HENRY - SGT VANESSA R HICKS - SGT MASON A HIRAHARA - SGT MATTHEW D HOLLAR - SGT ANDREW P HOLMES - SGT CORY S HOWARD SGT ROBERT M HUGHES - SGT NICHOLAS D ISAAC - SGT LUCILLE R ISRAEL - SGT AMBER L JARAMILLO - SGT NIGEL A JEMMOTT - SGT DONALD E JESSEE, JR - SGT HYUN BIN JI - SGT ANDRE B JOHNSON - SGT GREGORY P JOHNSON, JR - SGT JACE A JOHNSON - SGT JENNA M JOHNSON - SGT SHANE A JOHNSON - SGT BRIAN K JONES - SGT JOEL M JORDAN - SGT ISAIAH S A JOSEPH - SGT JACOB M KENNEDY - SGT ANDREW R KIELISCH - SGT SAMMY KING - SGT BRANDY N KISER - SGT YAOYAO KJELDGAARD - SGT MATTHEW J KOLLN - SGT YOLANDA M KRUIZENGA - SGT NATHAN M LACHANCE - SGT DANIELLE T LAVIER - SGT JAMES A LAVOIE - SGT SETH R LEIST - SGT CETH A LEVINE - SGT MONTE J LOGAN - SGT JONATHAN L LOPEZ - SGT COLON E O LOYO - SGT CRAIG W LUCAS - SGT BRANDON J LUEDTKE - SGT EUGENE Y LUGTU - SGT KENNETH B MALARIK - SGT SAUL MARTINEZ, JR - SGT ASHLEY MARTINEZSANTANA - SGT AMANDA M MATA - SGT TERRELL O MAXWELL - SGT PATRICK E MAYNARD - SGT LYNDIA T MCCRAY - SGT SEAN C MCCULLOUGH - SGT JARRETT D MCGRIFF - SGT JASON P MCILROY - SGT DOMINIK N MCNIECE - SGT JOSHUA M MEADOR - SGT JEREMY S MEINDL - SGT ALISHA MICKENS - SGT JOHN D MILES, JR - SGT BRODY A MILLER - SGT JACOB R MILLER - SGT BRANDON S MILLS - SGT TAYLOR L MITCHELL - SGT PHILLIP T MOFFIT - SGT ANTHONY A MOLLEDA - SGT DOUGLAS H MORIN - SGT GABRIEL G MUKIRI - SGT MICHAEL D MULCAHY - SGT DAT D NGUYEN - SGT SARA C NOLAN - SGT JEFFREY J NOWLIN - SGT ABRAHAM I NUNEZ - SGT LUCILE I NUNEZ - SGT JAIME L ODAM - SGT JOHN D ODLE - SGT BEAU J OESTREICH - SGT BRIEANNA L OGLETREE - SGT CAMERON M OLNEY - SGT RONALEEN H OMEGA - SGT KENEDY ORTEGA - SGT ANGEL R OSORIO - SGT JORDAN M PAIGE - SGT MICHAEL A PARRISH, JR - SGT MELISSA I PATTON - SGT JOHN E PATTS - SGT CHRISTOPHER A PEACOCK - SGT JUSTIN T PEEK - SGT SHARON S PELTIER - SGT DELDRICK T PERRY - SGT DANIEL D PHELPS - SGT JOSEPH R PIEPER - SGT ARTHUR R POOLE, III - SGT CODY N RAMBURGER - SGT VERNES J RANON - SGT DURWIN P REED, JR - SGT EVELYN REYESNUNEZ - SGT DANIEL J REYNERO - SGT SHELDON R RHINEHART - SGT JOHN T RIFFLE - SGT AMBER L ROBINSON - SGT JENNA M ROCK - SGT DIEGO F ROJAS - SGT WALDEMAR ROMAN - SGT SHEYMARIE ROSA - SGT JORDAN D ROULSTON - SGT PETSINO ROUTE - SGT CHRIS A RUE - SGT ANGEL I RUIZNIEVES - SGT MARK G MANGROBANG SABADO - SGT TERESA A SADAR - SGT COLBY R SCHAFFER - SGT CRYSTAL U SCHARWARKREYES - SGT JEROME A SCHEIDT - SGT COLTEN D SCHILLING - SGT GERARD D SCLAFANI SGT MALIK J SEATON - SGT LUKAS C SENESAC - SGT NICHOLAS J SHEPHERD - SGT JOSEPH A SHIMIZU - SGT JARRED J A SHORR - SGT JOSHUA M SICKAFOOSE - SGT AMBER M SLAYTER - SGT ANTHONY N SMITH, JR - SGT COLIN T SMITH - SGT MERLINA SMITH - SGT OMAR SMITH - SGT ERIC J SPERRAZZA - SGT CHARLES R SPICE - SGT CHRISTOPHER SA STEPHENSON - SGT NICHOLAS E STEWART - SGT COLEMAN R STINNETT - SGT MATTHEW J STRANGE - SGT ZACKARY Z SWIM - SGT DIASIRYS TALAVERARAMOS - SGT PAUL V THAO - SGT TRAVIS A THIBEAU - SGT OSARO L THOMAS - SGT MARC A TRANUM - SGT BRANDON L TUTTLE - SGT THOMAS R VANAACKEN - SGT ORLANDO VAZQUEZ - SGT MANUEL A VAZQUEZCOLON - SGT KAIKAI WANG - SGT JUDSON M WEEKS - SGT DAVID C WHITLOCK - SGT JOHN C WILLIAMS - SGT TAYLOR M WILSON - SGT CHRISTOPHER J WRAY - SGT CHANCE L WRIGHT - SGT MICHAEL B YARRINGTON - SGT AARON T YUZVA - SGT MONICA I ZAVALZA - SPC JENNIFER G BARRERA - SPC SHAYLA A BARRERA - SPC SHAKEYA A BREVARD - SPC HOLLY N CHITWOOD - SPC DAKOTA J DANIELS - SPC VANESSA S DASILVA - SPC LUKE P DEMAS - SPC CHIQUITA L DOAN - SPC BRYAN S DRESH - SPC LANCE I DRISKELL - SPC COREY M FLOYD - SPC PASHEN L FORD - SPC JESUS A GARCIA, JR - SPC JONATHAN W GEERS - SPC JERVARIS B HARPER - SPC AUSTIN S KNIGHT - SPC JACIE C LASH - SPC BAILEY M LEE - SPC PHILIP M, JR - SPC BABATUNDE J OLUISA - SPC JUSTIN A PICCIOTTI - SPC SAMEJ B RICHARDSON - SPC JOSE M RIOS - SPC RACHELL A ROBINSON - SPC MICHAEL A SAWYERS - SPC TANEYA L THOMPSON - SPC ASHLEY M WESLEY - SPC JESSICA L WILBERT - SPC TERESA M ANN WILLIAMS - SPC MARY K YEAGER - PFC NAOMIE E BARNETT - PFC CODY A CAMPBELL - PFC DOMINIC T CARTER - PFC TIMOTHY CLARK, JR - PFC CHRISTOPHER O COLONLEBRON - PFC CHANEL E CRAWFORD - PFC KAITLIN R DELPIANO - PFC BENJAMIN P DUNLAP - PFC ADRIAN FRITZLEY - PFC BRANDON GOMEZ - PFC JOSE E GUILLENGUZMAN - PFC BRANDON M KANAREK - PFC GRACE A MARTINEZ - PFC RASHEED T ODUEKE - PFC DEMETRIUS M PEARSON - PFC ANDREA F REED - PFC CHELSEA RICHARDSON - PFC TRISHA L SMITH - PFC DILLYN E STANFORD - PFC SAVANAH N STEVENSON - PFC TYQWAN K WHITE - PFC SEAN D WILLIAMS - PFC CHRISTINA J WRAGG - PV2 REINALDO M DEJESUS - PV2 SHYLA M EVANGELISTA - PV2 PHILLIP V HACKNEY, III - PV2 DEREK L JOHNSON - PV2 TYANNA W LATHAM - PV2 JOSHUA LAU - PV2 VONTASIA S OLDS - PV2 SAVANNAH S PETERSON - PV2 KATIE L SABO - PV2 ARMANDO SERRANOALDAPE, JR - PV2 KAYLEE E SMALLETS - PV2 GARRETT S TOREA - PV2 JAVIER I WALKER - PV1 YOVAN ALVAREZ - PV1 BRIA J BEAUPIERRE - PV1 RICHARD CIRILOALEJANDRO - PV1 INDIA J CONNOR - PV1 CALEB M COOMBE - PV1 MELISSA N CREECH - PV1 DESHAWN A DAWSON - PV1 JOSHUA R DELMONTE - PV1 LAUREN O DENNETT - PV1 JENNIFER ESPINOZA - PV1 KELSAY L ESTES - PV1 LYDIA B HALLMAN - PV1 RUBY HERNANDEZ - PV1 KEVIN HUANG - PV1 MARISSA J LOCKHART - PV1 CHEYEANNE D MARABLE - PV1 SYLVIA D NAVARROMARTINEZ - PV1 OMAR R SANTANA - PV1 BRITTANY L SCHRECONGOST - PV1 LUCAS M SPANGLER - PV1 JUAN VALENCIA - PV1 ROBERT L VAUGHN, V - PV1 SABRINA A VIERA - PV1 KELLY N WHITCOMB - PV1 HAILONG WU - PV1 KAO YANG

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 17

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE OFFICERS & ENLISTED MARK E BLACK - BG JOSEPH A EDWARDS II - COL PETER M DUBININ - COL DONALD R ELLISON, JR - COL JAMES D NELSON - COL PHILLIP A TAYLOR - LTC BRYAN G CHUBINSKY - LTC BRADLEY J DOCIMO - LTC BRIAN DUNN - LTC JOHN R GOLDSWORTHY - LTC NATHANIEL C STOBERT - LTC TELISA L WATKINS - MAJ ERWIN A ABELLA - MAJ RYAN P ADAMS - MAJ MIGUEL A ARAUJO - MAJ DOUGLAS C BEER - MAJ JUSTIN A BISHOP - MAJ JEREMI L BOWLING - MAJ JAIME M BRECKENRIDGE - MAJ SHAELA K BRESNAN - MAJ TYREESE D BROWN - MAJ KIZZIE L BUTTS - MAJ DANIEL J CALLAHAN - MAJ LAWRENCE K CARMACK - MAJ JOSHUA A CARSON - MAJ SYDNEY K CASE - MAJ ANTHONY G CAUCCI - MAJ ANNA W CHRISTEN - MAJ AUDRA C COBB - MAJ JAMES C CULBERTSON - MAJ ARAVIND DILEEPAN - MAJ MICHAEL L DILL - MAJ SHAWN L DRIVER - MAJ GRANT S DUNHAM - MAJ MARCUS A DYL - MAJ JEREMY D DZUROFF - MAJ JOSCELYN M ESPENSEN - MAJ ZOLA B EVANS - MAJ JOHN A EZZO - MAJ JOSHUA K FENTON - MAJ ETHAN S FEY - MAJ RHODA J GREEN - MAJ ANTHONY S HARRISON - MAJ LYNDRA L HEDRICK - MAJ JOSHUA K HENRY - MAJ ANDREA L HILL - MAJ NEKYA R HOOD - MAJ STEPHEN D HUECKEL - MAJ NYHL F IRVIN - MAJ KATHERINE J JARMUSZ - MAJ LORING S JONES, IV - MAJ CHRISTOPHER D LAUGHLIN - MAJ JUSTIN C LIBERATORE - MAJ SEAN D MACK - MAJ KYLE D MARSHALL - MAJ YOLANDA E MASON - MAJ COLLIN MCKOY - MAJ WYNN P MCLEOD - MAJ REGINALD A MEADOWS - MAJ CELESTINE M ST MERISOR - MAJ DANIEL O MORENO - MAJ DARYL C MURTON - MAJ ZANE A NITZEL - MAJ THOMAS W PAYNE - MAJ JAY C PEDERSON - MAJ ANTHONY W PEREZMILLER - MAJ JASON A POTTER - MAJ RICARDO R QUINN - MAJ GEORGE J RIVOSECCHI, II - MAJ SEAN M RUEHE - MAJ BRYAN A SANDERS - MAJ ALLEN J SARA - MAJ WENDY L SCHRANK - MAJ LISA N SCHWANDT - MAJ THOMASINA E SCUDERE - MAJ GABRIEL SEVILLA - MAJ JUSTIN W SHINE - MAJ BRIAN Y SIU - MAJ LUKE M SLATTON - MAJ SCOTT L SLAUGH - MAJ DAVID A STEWART - MAJ JOHN A THOMAS - MAJ JASON E TOLBERT - MAJ SAMANTHA B UNDERWOOD - MAJ MARK G VALENCIA - MAJ AUSTIN S VANHISE - MAJ JOSE A VILLAFANASITIRICHE - MAJ BRIAN C VINCENT - MAJ JAMIE B VINCENT - MAJ NICKI A WADE - MAJ JEFFRY L WALKER - MAJ ERIC A WEATHERMAN - MAJ ERIC T WIGGINS - MAJ QUENTIN L WILLARD - MAJ ANTHONY R WOODARD - CPT SUSAN M AUSTIN - CPT GREGORY R BUCCI - CPT CLINTON R BUSH - CPT PETER J ROACH - CPT JOHN D STOCKMAN - 1LT MICHAEL CAVILL - 1LT NICOLE V DURANGO - 1LT CLAUDINE M GALLAGHER - 1LT KENNETH A HENDERSON, JR - 1LT MARTIN I MADUAKOR, JR - 1LT LAKENDRA J ROBINSON - 1LT JONATHAN J RUDZIEWICZ - 1LT MICHAEL J TERRY - 2LT CHANNING L BLAKE - 2LT JUSTIN D CARROLL - 2LT ASHLEY EDWARDS - 2LT JOHN A MATTLE - 2LT MARJANAE L MCMILLAN - 2LT JAKE D OCONNOR - 2LT WESLEY D PIKE - 2LT JENNIFER L SAJA - 2LT SHYRAE A SHARP - CSR DANDRE K ADAMS - CSR LIANORA T AREEVONG - CSR BOOKER J BEIER - CSR MICHAEL J CAHILL - CSR PATRICK J CAMATCHO - CSR ZACHARY T CARSON - CSR DEANDRE T COFER - CSR RICHARD J CORBETT - CSR DELSON B COWARD - CSR TIMOTHY D DOMONT - CSR ANTHONY F HARVEY - CSR LIAM R HENDERSON - CSR CY N JOHNSON - CSR PATRICK J JOHNSON - CSR ANDERSON K KING - CSR NOELLE E KOCH - CSR THOMAS M LOWERY - CSR ADAM M MORTENSEN - CSR BRITTANY A NICKLE - CSR TREVOR W PATTERSON - CSR VICTORIA C PEFLEY - CSR DAVID R PORTER - CSR ALICIA S RODRIGUEZ - CSR SAMANTHA E ROGERS - CSR CASANDRA G SOPER - CSR RASHAWN J TURNER - CSR ALEXANDRIA C VANDERPOOL - CSR NIGEL A WALKER - CW4 JOSEPH A SUTTON - CW3 TROY A KLINGE - CW3 JUDITH PEREZ - CW3 CRAIG S SHERRATT - CW3 LARRY C VAUGHN - CW3 RUSSELL E DERR - CW2 BAMIDELE E ADEBAYO - CW2 DAVID J GARIBALDI - CW2 TORIO D JONES - CW2 ASHLEY A KENNEY - CW2 MICHAEL A MEILAHN - CW2 BERENICE UGALDE - CW2 CHRISTOPHER S WILSON - WO1 CARYA D BETHEA - WO1 RONALD J CAIN - WO1 MANSHEN LIN - WO1 NICHOLAS P RICHARD - WO1 KERI SELLON - CSM NATHANIEL J CHAPMAN - CSM RODNEY A DAVENPORT - CSM LUIS D MOLINA - CSM TOREY A MOSLEY, SR - CSM MARK B PENROSE - SGM LYNEI C WOODARD - 1SG CAMERON D BENTZ - 1SG EMILY COLON - 1SG BEULA FLORES - 1SG SAMANTHA J GOLDENSTEIN - 1SG DEEN N HALEEM - 1SG CHRISTOPHER D HAWKS - 1SG MAJOHN M KING - 1SG TIMOTHY W LILES - 1SG HERIBERTO LOPEZ - 1SG CHRISTOPHER D RICHARDSON - 1SG YARNELL RICKETT - 1SG MATTHEW D TORRENCE - 1SG JOSEPH A WELSH - MSG GLADYS E ALAMOLOZADA - MSG JOSHUA D ANDREWS - MSG JONATHON M BANKS - MSG JOSEPH T BESSETTE - MSG JERRY L BURRIS - MSG HOYT M BURROUGHS, JR - MSG ROBERT L COLEMAN - MSG MAURICE G CORCHO - MSG DEBRA A CRUMP ADAMS - MSG KYLE F DRUBE - MSG JEFFREY W DRURY - MSG TIMOTHY S DYER - MSG JAMES A GLAZE - MSG VALARIE M JACKSON - MSG HURTHA L JOHNSON, II - MSG CARRIE A KAVANAUGH - MSG ALEX J KAYE - MSG FREDDY LEYTON - MSG WARNELL J LUDINGTON - MSG MARYANN MARTINEZ - MSG RODOLFO P MASINSIN, JR - MSG AARON L MASTERS - MSG LEVERETT T MOODY, JR - MSG LATANYA S NOWAK - MSG LATRAL O MONROE - MSG RALPH M PARSONS - MSG FABRIENNE C PAYNE - MSG SEAN L PETERSON - MSG MAX REES - MSG PAUL B RITCHINGS - MSG MARCOS RIVERAFLORES - MSG WENDY M ROMERO - MSG WALTER E SNOW, JR - MSG MARK C TOWNLEY - MSG EUSEBIO VILLAMOR - SFC CHRISTINA M ACEVEDO - SFC JAMES E ALEXANDER - SFC JEREMY T ANDERSON - SFC ROBERT W ANDERSON, JR - SFC SETH R ANDERSON - SFC UAITA ZT ATOA - SFC JAMES M AVERY - SFC JOHN F BANARES BERWIN - SFC AMELIA E BAYSDEN - SFC PASQUALE F BERMUDEZ - SFC DAVID L BOLIN - SFC WILLIAM D BOWIE - SFC MATTHEW F CAMPBELL - SFC RONNIE C COLE - SFC AUSTON L CONNOR, JR - SFC FRANCINE L COOPER - SFC DAVID D COTTON - SFC BRICE CRAWFORD - SFC MAKELA A CRAYTON - SFC DONALD M DANAHER - SFC ANTHONY M EZERSKI - SFC JIMMY I FAJARDO - SFC JOHNPAUL FISCHER - SFC JUAN J GONZALEZRAMIREZ - SFC BRIAN P GRAVELINE - SFC CEDRIC L GREEN - SFC JEREMIAH J GUTIERREZ - SFC WILLIAM W HAYNES - SFC RONALD R HERNANDEZ - SFC CAMERON L HETTEMA - SFC BUCKY C HOBBS - SFC TODD A HOLZSCHUH - SFC DEREK D HOSE - SFC JOLANDA L HOWARD - SFC SARAH E HUBBARD - SFC RONDAL R JACKSON, JR - SFC TAMMY L JEFFERY - SFC ERIC D JOHNSON - SFC ERIC C KINZIE - SFC ROBERT J KROECK - SFC DOUGLAS R LOWE - SFC JOHN L LUECKE - SFC THOMAS E MARLOW, JR - SFC NORBERTO A MARTINEZ - SFC WILLIAM D MESING - SFC SHONEY S MILES - SFC MORGAN D MITCHELL - SFC RANDAL L MONROE - SFC CRAIG A MONTGOMERY - SFC SHAMEKA W MOORE - SFC ADAM N MORRIS - SFC BRADLEY J MURPHY - SFC ANITA NIEVES - SFC JAYSON D NOBLE - SFC KYLE P OLMSTEAD - SFC JUSTIN K PARSELL - SFC SEAN M POWELL - SFC JOHN J RIPLEY - SFC JEREMY R ROBBINS - SFC JORDAN L ROURKE - SFC JEREMIAH E RUST - SFC LISA M SAFFOLD - SFC LUIS G SANCHEZDALMASI - SFC JERAMIE R SCHADER - SFC ERIC S SCHENCK - SFC CHAD D SCHOENFELDER - SFC PAUL A SHELTON - SFC DAVID W SMITH - SFC DIANNA R SMITH - SFC JAMES R SMITH - SFC TASHA R SMITH - SFC STEVEN R SORIANO - SFC CLIFFORD L STATEN - SFC THOMAS W STREETER, JR - SFC ANTONIO D SUGGS - SFC SONY SUPRINVIL - SFC JEFFRY S SWANN - SFC DUSTIN S TAYLOR - SFC GREGORY V THOMPSON - SFC DALLAN L TISDALE - SFC KOFI O TUTU - SFC TIMOTHY R VANN - SFC JOHN D WARNER - SFC KEVIN W WASHER - SFC MICHAEL D WEINGART - SFC ANGELO V WHITFIELD - SFC ADAM M WOLF - SFC RONALD C WORKMAN - SFC FLOYD M WRIGHT, JR - SSG DANIEL V ANDRADE - SSG JASON R ARNEAUD - SSG WAYNE A ASSELIN - SSG ANDREW W BAKER - SSG ETHAN D BALL - SSG WILLIAM T BENSON - SSG JARED S BLAKEWAY - SSG JEREMIAH A BLANCHETTE - SSG BARLOWE H BRANCH, JR - SSG ALLEN R BRANDON - SSG DAVID A BROWN - SSG JOSHUA M BROWN - SSG ROBERT C BROWN - SSG JAMAR L BRYANT - SSG PATRICK A CAMPBELL - SSG SHANEEQUAH M CANNON - SSG ANDREW E CHAPEL - SSG ZHI CHEN - SSG NICHOLAS T CHIODINI - SSG GARY T CLEMONS - SSG NICHOLAS A CONTESTABILE - SSG TRAVIS COOPER - SSG ROBERT L CORCORAN - SSG MORRIS C CRANE - SSG GUILLERMO M CRUZSALGADO - SSG CHRISTOPHER H CURTIS - SSG AMY S DEPAUL - SSG JASON G DORAMUS - SSG WILLIAM J DOUGLAS - SSG JASON E DUNAHOO - SSG DENNIS G DUNCKLEY - SSG JUSTIN T EDWARDS - SSG PETER J FILIPIAK - SSG KOLE B FLEGEL - SSG MICHELLE L FLORIL - SSG CORNELIUS C GARNETT - SSG KEVIN W GIBSON - SSG BRIAN T GIL - SSG CARMEN A GONZALEZ - SSG EDWIN GONZALEZ - SSG BRANDON L GOULET - SSG KURT G GROHMAN - SSG WARREN M GRYMES, III - SSG JERIMIAH J HAMBY - SSG YAVAN A HARPER - SSG BRETT M HARRISON - SSG JON D HAUGER, JR - SSG CHRISTINA M HAWKINS - SSG KEVIN P HIGGINS - SSG BRANDON P HILLS - SSG REBECCA J HOLZMANN - SSG MARCELO IRIGOYEN - SSG ALEX G IRIZARRY - SSG DALTON J JACK - SSG ROD B JEANGILLES - SSG AARON C JOHNSON - SSG JAMES L JONES - SSG NATHAN P JULIUS - SSG JUNGEUN KIM - SSG CHRISTOPHER R KJOS - SSG TANEISHA D LAGRANT - SSG NIVIA S LAIRD - SSG HWA S LEE - SSG OUDOMSEILA LENG - SSG GRETA K LEWIS - SSG ROBERT L LOCKLEAR, JR - SSG SHINOBU W LONGTAIN - SSG VIKTOREIA E LUADZERS - SSG MATTHEW L MALONEY - SSG ALEJANDRO F MARCIANO - SSG TIGRAN MARDIROSIAN - SSG GERALD DAVID MARTIN, III - SSG CHRISTIAN MATOSMARTINEZ - SSG VENISO P MAY, JR - SSG JOSHUA C MCCOY - SSG EBONY M MCCRAYHOUCK - SSG DALILA MEDRANO - SSG RYAN C MOLDOVAN - SSG JASON M MORELLI - SSG ANDREW L MORGAN -

18 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

From the 95th Training Division (IET) Commander As we head into the holidays, many of us are looking forward to spending some extra time with family and taking a break from the many demands that our military and civilian obligations put on us. The holidays are a time to relax, and perhaps to reflect. It can be a very happy time.

Not all of our Soldiers necessarily feel that way,

though. For those of our Soldiers who are dealing with troubling personal circumstances, the holidays are not a time of relaxation and happiness. Instead of reflecting on past blessings and future goals, some Soldiers tumble into a pit of loneliness, separation, and depression. The normalcy and routine of job and duty that help them paper over their

personal challenges is gone for a time, leaving the Soldier nothing to do but think about how bad their circumstances seem to be. Worse yet, watching others be happy when the Soldier himself is not happy, can aggravate the problem.

Is it any wonder that the rate of suicide increases over the holidays?

All of our Soldiers need to remember that even though we are in the holiday season, and aren’t necessarily coming together at the reserve center to perform battle assembly, they are still part of our team.

As part of our team, they are both valued, and incredibly

By Brig. Gen. Andrew Bassford Commanding, 95th Training Division (IET)

Leaders

Be sure that all of your Soldiers understand how important they truly are. One of the very best ways that we, as leaders, can combat suicide is by building units that are meaningful, purposeful, and worthwhile. valuable. Each Soldier is critically important to the team, and without each of our Soldiers, we are less able to accomplish the missions that our nation counts on us to perform.

Leaders: be sure that all of your Soldiers understand how important they truly are. One of the very best ways that we, as leaders, can combat suicide is by building units that are meaningful, purposeful, and

worthwhile. By doing this, we give our Soldiers a reason to want to come to the next battle assembly. When Soldiers have meaning and purpose in their lives, and something to look forward to, they are less likely to consider suicide.

Over the holidays, be sure that your Soldiers know that if they have a problem, if they feel worthless or unneeded, that they can reach out to the rest of the team, and that the team will be there to take care of them, holiday season or not. Do all of your Soldiers know how to get in touch with you if they have a problem? Are you sure?

Everything we do is about leadership. One of the basics of leadership is to know your Soldiers. Engage with your Soldiers, and be sensitive to any of your Soldiers who might seem to be struggling over how they will spend their holidays.

If you have the sense that there might be a problem, dig into it.

Simple care and concern will go a long way toward preventing problems.

The holidays are a wonderful time! Let’s work together to make sure that all of our Soldiers have the best possible holidays, and come back in January, rested, happy, and ready to go forward with the mission.

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 19

First Brigade Honors Veterans with Flights to Washington

By Sgt. 1st Class Randall Reinink Veterans, volunteers and Service Members came together in Milwaukee on a rainy Saturday morning in October for the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.

Sgt. Nick Gaulke, Bravo Company 1/334, solicited Soldiers from his reserve unit to assist veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

“My grandfather flew (on the Honor Flight) in 2012 and he thought it was the greatest thing that ever happened to him,” said Gaulke.“One of the Board members asked me to help and I have been doing it ever since.”

Gaulke’s grandfather served on a mine sweeper off the coast of Japan during World War II. After a September Battle Assembly, reserve duty weekend, Gaulke solicited help from his fellow Soldiers and half a dozen responded to the call.

Staff Sgt. Justin Morris commented,“Many of our veterans finally get the welcome home and hand shake they deserve for what they have seen and done for this

country.”

The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight is a nonprofit that arranges flights for World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans to visit Washington for the day. Veterans and their guardians are given guided tours of the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam Veterans memorials. Each trip typically includes a stop at the Marine Corps Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Past Stars and Stripes Honor Flights have included stops at the Lincoln Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, and the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial.

Gualke and his fellow reserve Soldiers in uniform greeted the aging veterans at curbside and guided them upstairs to the checkin desk. Once the veterans were beyond security, the Soldiers loaded the veterans’ wheelchairs on the aircraft and then sent them off with a salute on the tarmac.Two Delta Airlines aircraft carried all 150 Veterans and Guardians to and from Washington, D.C. for their tour.

Staff Sgt. Justin Morris, Bravo Company, 1/334th, wheels a war veteran into the airport to check in for his Stars and Stripes Honor Flight at Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee on Oct. 14.

US Army Photo by Dianne Cooke

Sgt. 1st Class Randall Reinink, Bravo Company, 1/334th, trades war stories with a Korean War veteran at Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee on Oct. 14 during the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. US Army Photo by Dianne Cooke

Soldiers from Bravo Company, 1/334th sendoff war veterans on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight with a salute on the Mitchell Airport tarmac in Milwaukee on Oct. 14. US Army Photo by Dianne Cooke

Sgt. Nick Gaulke, Bravo Company, 1/334th, and Stars and Stripes Honor Flight Guardian escort two Vets to the elevator to join others flight check-in at Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee on Oct. 14. US Army Photo by Dianne Cooke

20 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

Not Just a Badge In August 2017, 17 Soldiers from 1st Brigade, 95th Training Division went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma in an attempt to earn a badge in a grueling 72-hour timeframe. In all, 10 Soldiers earned the coveted German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency. However, it would never have happened if a Soldier hadn’t taken his duty and mission to heart like Rowan did in Elbert Hubbard’s Message to Garcia.

A Message to a German Nearly every Officer and Senior Noncommissioned Officer has had to read “a message to Garcia” at one point or another during their career. However, many have not had the chance to actually do what Rowan did in Cuba. Searching for a man named “Garcia” in a land of men likely named “Garcia” was an incredible feat. However, when I asked Drill Sergeant Curtis Kinsey to “find the German Army Foreign Liaison at Fort Sill” it was likely an easier task since there are far fewer German’s in Oklahoma than Garcia’s in Cuba.The task was simple and the message was simple,“we want a chance to earn the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.”That started in August 2015 when I took command. With that guidance, by October 2016 we had not only found Lt. Col. Presser and Sgt. Maj. Misselbeck of the German Army, but every Delta Battery Soldier had a chance to compete for the badge.

After this, word quickly spread throughout the 2/354th Battalion and 1st Brigade, leading up to the August 2017 competition.

Sgt. Leslie Hasson prepares to run the 11x10-meter sprint test at the Rinehart Gym track on August 19, 2017 at Fort Sill. Hasson is graded

by Sgt. Maj. Michael Misselbeck (far-left) of the German Army and Staff Sgt. Curtis Kinsey (far-right). Sgt. 1st Class Jenna Russell (centerleft) and Capt. William Gribble (center-right) look on.

A Coveted Badge an a Grueling Test Established in October 1980 by the German Armed Forces, the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency has six major components: (1) Basic Fitness Test, (2) 100-meter Swim, (3) First Aid Test, (4) NBC MOPP Test, (5) Pistol Qualification, and (6) a Road March.

The Basic Fitness test includes three subcomponents which are scored separately: (a) 11x10-meter sprint, (b) Flexed-Arm Hang, and (c) a 1000-meter sprint. Based upon how a Soldier performed on the scored Basic Fitness Test, a Soldier can then compete for the Gold, Silver, or Bronze level award in the other five “Go/No-Go” events.

Generally, each of the tests are performed in optimal conditions, allowing recovery time after each event. However due to nature of the reserves, Drill Sergeants and Soldiers from 1st Brigade completed all events within a 72hour timeframe. Even by German Army standards, this was an aggressive feat and performed

Staff Sgt. Curtis Kinsey (center) and Sgt. 1st Class Peter Hoffman (right) discuss scoring with Sgt. Maj. Michael Misselbeck (left) on August 19, 2017 at the Rinehart Gym Track on Fort Sill, while Soldiers prepare for the 1000-meter run.

admirably in all events. By far the hardest event was the 100-meter swim test.This is partially due to the fact that the swim is done in uniform, something most Soldiers don’t train for on a regular basis. Sgt. Maj. Misselbeck highly recommended that any Soldiers seeking to earn the badge spend time training for the swim event, since that is where he sees the most failures.

The Importance of the GAFBMP to the USAR Drill Sergeant Mission After assuming command, I quickly found myself in a rut of running from fire to fire and

forgetting why I became a Soldier in the first place. I found that my Soldiers were having the same problem. It made recruiting and retention fairly hard. Why would a Soldier come to Drill to play on their phone all day with nothing to really do? We saw it impact our recruiting mission too. Why does a Drill Sergeant want to recruit people into a unit that does nothing?

With the support of the Battalion Command teams (Col. Manning, Col. Adams, Maj.Thrash, and Command Sgt. Maj. Hahne), 1st Sgt. Campbell and I set our sights on making this badge a Battery mission by the end of fiscal year 17.

We knew that this was something not often done, but once the first badge was awarded, our Soldiers would remember why they were Soldiers, and more importantly do something while at a drill weekend.

We started slow, incorporating different GAFBMP events into our Battery physical training plan and whenever we had facilities available. Eventually in August 2017, we made a breakthrough with all ammunition, facilities, personnel, and funding being available at the same time to make a weekend test for the GAFBMP happen.

Since then, the GAFBMP test has given our Drill Sergeants and Reserve Career Counselors

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 21 something to talk about. Not only will our unit help mold you into a Drill Sergeant, but we actually do things on Drill Weekend and get outside the “drill hall.” It’s an effort that’s already paying off.The question then becomes, when do we test again, and do we turn it into a Mutual Support Operation with other USAR units in the area?

If so, how do we sustain it and work the logistics?

Advice to Other Company Battery/Troop Command Teams Most TRADOC installations have a Foreign Liaison Office from many nations, including Germany.The German Foreign Liaison Officers can either administer the test from their office, or they can help arrange for a test to be conducted with a requesting unit.The biggest recommendation is to send the message to Garcia, and make all the arrangements to run the test (ammo, pool, facilities, and training time). Make it to where all the German FLO needs to do is say yes and show up.

On August 21, 2017, Soldiers were presented the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency at the German Army’s Fort Sill Liaison Office. (Left to Right) Sgt. Maj. Michael Misselbeck, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Clouse, Sgt. 1st Class Jenna Russell, Staff Sgt. Curtis Kinsey, Sgt. Leslie Hasson, Sgt. Joshua Schenck, Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Bryan, Master Sgt. James Glaze, and Lt. Col. Joerg Presser.

A Solid

‘ASIST’ On August 19, 2017, Staff Sgt. Michael Allen completes the 100-meter swim test in uniform at the Rinehart Pool at Fort Sill, OK. Upon completion of two laps in the 50-meter pool, Soldiers were required to successfully ditch their uniform top and bottom before receiving a “Go.”

On August 18, 2017, Master Sgt. James Glaze completes the M9 course of fire at Fort Sill, OK. To earn Gold, Soldiers were required to have a score of 6-hits out of 6-rounds. Silver required 5-hits out of 6-rounds. Finally, to earn Bronze and still be eligible for the badge, Soldiers required 4-hits out of 6-rounds. Soldiers moved among the standing, kneeling, and prone firing positions for each pair of shots.

Recently, the 95th Training Division hosted both Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Ask, Care, Escort Suicide Intervention Train the Trainer (ACE-SI T4T) classes to twelve Soldiers from the 1-320th Battalion, from 8 to 10 August 2017. The training took place at the US Army Reserve Center located in Sanford, FL. The training, led

by Mr. William Banks, 95th TD Suicide Prevention Program Manager and SSG KeAiria Mayes, HQ 95th TD Suicide Prevention Liaison Representative, focused on techniques to intervene with Soldiers who are having suicidal thoughts or ideations.

ASIST equips those Soldiers attending training with the Pathways for Assisting Life (PAL)

model for suicide intervention, a six step process developed by a company named Living Works. ACE-SI T4T gives the Soldiers more experience using the Army’s Ask, Care, Escort model for conducting a suicide intervention and qualifies them to give the ACE-SI class to his or her unit members upon their return home.

Attendance at the training also qualifies the Soldiers to act as Suicide Prevention Liaison Representatives (SPLR) for their unit. Anyone having an interest in learning suicide intervention techniques or in becoming a SPLR for their unit should contact their chain of command or Mr. William Banks at william.p.banks4.civ@mail. mil or at (580) 442-3009.

22 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

1st Brigades Evening of Legacy and Tradition Story by Spc.Tynisha Daniel and Sgt. 1st Class Lisa M. Litchfield Columbus, GA — Celebrating an evening of legacy and tradition, Soldiers proudly donned their uniforms and filed in with their dates as the evening began for cocktail hour at Columbus Country Club Saturday Nov 18, 2017, there the 1st Brigade, 98th Training Division hosted its first most memorable military ball.

1st Brigades military ball was hosted by Soldiers, friends of the American Legion, honored spouses, children, parents and various organizations that provide support to the U.S. Army.

The event featured live Dj entertainment, a reenlistment, awards and gift raffles, professional photography and dancing.

Welcomed by 1st Brigade, guest speaker Mr. Mark Shreve,Vice Commander of the American Legion Department of Georgia delivered a meaningful speech every Soldier and guest listened to intently.

Shreve expressed how humbled and honored he was to be a part of the event, recognizing the families of military members for all of their efforts and sacrifices that allow the Army Reserve to be strong and continue their missions.

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 23

From the 98th Training Division (IET) Commander

By Brig. Gen. Miles Davis Commanding, 98th Training Division (IET)

What will your legacy be? Will you be ready when our Nation calls? Over the past four months, I have had the great opportunity to spend time with many of you: being with you in the field at the Wendell H. Ford Training Center in Kentucky during your Spur Ride (2-398 AR); walking the range with you at Fort Jackson as you qualify Navy personnel on the M4 (TFM); ruck marching with you during the 8-mile route of the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency competition at Fort Benning; attending your dining out at the Columbus Country Club in Columbus, Georgia (1st Brigade); attending your changes of commands (TFM, CRC, 2-398 AR, 2-485); and watching you graduate from the Drill Sergeant Academy (DSA) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. During these events, I have, with great pride, watched you take on these

challenges and achieve excellence.

Whether completing exceptionally successful, one-year mobilization missions at Fort Jackson and Fort Bliss; achieving Commandant’s List or Iron Drill Sergeant at the Drill Sergeant Academy; earning Gold, Silver, and Bronze during the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency competition; or being selected as the winner of the Audie Murphy competition at Fort Bliss; you have answered the call, demonstrated excellence, and represented the Iroquois Division with distinction.

With all of these great accomplishments, our greatest challenge still lies ahead – Being ready for our Nation’s call.To do this, I need: Command Teams: - Planning and executing challenging, METL-based training OUTSIDE of your reserve centers.

Units that conduct great training, attract and retain great Soldiers.

- Assessing your drill candidates their first BA and getting them scheduled for the Drill Sergeant Academy. (Drill Sergeant Graduates are the Division’s number one readiness priority.)

- Having processes in place to ensure that all Soldiers within their area of responsibility stay in compliance with Soldier Readiness Requirements (i.e. CSMM 9-12 month report).

Soldiers: - Taking care of their individual Soldier readiness (i.e., medical, dental) outside of Battle Assembly so that units can focus Battle Assemblies on conducting challenging, METL-based training

OUTSIDE of the reserve centers.

(You can get paid for taking care of your medical and dental readiness outside of Battle Assemblies.)

What will your legacy be? Will

you be ready? Together we must ensure that 98th Division is ready to answer our Nation’s call Iroquois 6

24 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

Training Mission Transfers to New Leadership

Members of Task Force Marshall stand at parade rest while waiting for the unit’s transfer of authority ceremony to begin Oct. 30 at Camp McCrady, S.C. Lt. Col. Karl Painter transferred authority for training Navy individual augmentees to Lt. Travis Quesenberry.

By Robert Timmons Fort Jackson Public Affairs Office

Lt. Col. Karl Painter and Command Sgt. Maj. Johnathan Bentley transferred the authority of Task Force Marshall to Lt. Col. Travis Quesenberry and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas K. Watts in a ceremony Oct. 30 at Camp McCrady in Eastover, South Carolina.

Task Force Marshall, which falls under the Army Training Center’s Leader Training Brigade, is in charge of training all Navy individual augmentees prior to deployment to the Middle East.

Col. Fernando Guadalupe, LTB commander, thanked the outgoing TFM leadership team for their “sacrifices.”

“I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you do for Fort Jackson and the country every single day through old-fashioned hard work,” he said.

The ceremony is different than

To signify the transfer of authority, the unit colors were passed from the outgoing leadership team to Guadalupe who handed the colors to Quesenberry before Watts took charge of them as part of his duties as the senior enlisted leader. most conducted on Fort Jackson because TFM is a battalion-sized training force comprised of U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers who have been mobilized for a year. Each year personnel conduct reliefs-inplace similar to active duty units when deploying to a combat zone.

The 108th Training Command, based in Charlotte, provides TFM

with the reserve drill sergeants that make up its ranks.

In the words of the outgoing senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Johnathan Bentley, the Soldiers are “consummate professionals.”

To signify the transfer of authority, the unit colors were passed from the outgoing leadership team to Guadalupe

who handed the colors to Quesenberry before Watts took charge of them as part of his duties as the senior enlisted leader.

Painter, who will be heading back to his job as a vice president for a major bank, will have fond memories of his time leading the task force.

It was his “honor” lead the “best NCOs and drill sergeants” as they trained Service members for overseas deployment.

Painter and Bentley made the incoming leadership team’s jobs easier because of the hard work they put in, Quesenberry said.

“I have an easy job,” said Quesenberry, who was mobilized from his job as a sales engineer for a commercial heating and air manufacturer, “but I have a hard path to follow” in trying to live up to the outgoing commander’s successes.

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 25

Drill sergeants from Company B, Task Force Marshall salute during the unit’s transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 30 at Camp McCrady, S.C.

Command Sgt. Maj. Johnathan Bentley, outgoing senior enlisted leader of Task Force Marshall, passes the unit colors to Lt. Col. Karl Painter, the outgoing unit commander, during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp McCrady Oct. 30. Painter transferred authority of the unit charged with training individual Navy augmentees to Lt. Col. Travis Quesenberry.

Lt. Col. Karl Painter, former commander of Task Force Marshall, passes the unit colors to Col. Fernando Guadalupe, Leader Training Brigade commander, during a transfer of authority ceremony for the unit tasked with training Navy individual augmentees for deployment to the Middle East Oct. 20 at Camp McCrady, S.C.

26 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

Reserve and Active Drill Sergeants Work Together at Ft. Jackson Story and photos by Spc. Jeremiah Woods Hundreds of recruits enter Fort Jackson, S.C. each year with the expectation of leaving as trained, skilled and lethal Soldiers in the U.S. Army.The responsibility of the drill sergeants is to turn these civilians into Soldiers and ensure they learn the skills that will take them through their career in the military.The majority of drill sergeants at Fort Jackson are from the active duty component, However, throughout the year a significant contingent of Army Reserve drill sergeants rotate through in order to to aid their active counterparts.

The Army Reserve drill sergeants at Fort Jackson serve along side their active duty counterparts to train new recruits going through basic combat training (BCT). Fort Jackson sees an influx of recruits coming into BCT each year during the summer months; an event known as the “summer surge.”

Many new recruits are high school or college students that split their BCT and advanced individual training (AIT) into two separate parts throughout the year. As a result, Fort Jackson sees a significant increase in recruits during the summer, explains Capt.

Michael Mascari, commander of Foxtrot Co., 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jackson.

The drill sergeants coming from the Army Reserve are trained in the same manner as their active duty counterparts, says Mascari. A major difference between Soldiers from the two components is that, when not serving as drill sergeants, Soldiers from the Army Reserve also hold a civilian job.

“As a Reserve Soldier, we train as drill sergeants throughout the year,” says Army Reserve Sgt. Jessica Pate, a junior drill sergeant attached to Foxtrot Co., 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jackson and originally part of Foxtrot Co., 1st Battalion, 321st Infantry Regiment out of Lumberton, NC. “Then we take what we know and come out here; we take all of those extra Soldiers, and we use what we know from the military and then from our civilian experience in the outside world and then we apply it and we just kind of help build this mission.”

Many of the drill sergeants from the Army Reserve recognize their unique ability to contribute to the training mission at Fort Jackson.

“We have some things that we can bring to the table that maybe some active duty drill sergeants don’t have,” said Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Gilbert Dillard Jr.,

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Gilbert Dillard Jr., a drill sergeant with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jackson, S.C., follows a recruit as he runs for cover during a training exercise on the team live-fire range at Fort Jackson, Aug. 3, 2017. Army Reserve drill sergeants work with active duty drill sergeants at Fort Jackson to counter the influx of new recruits that occurs during the summer months. U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. Jeremiah Woods

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Gilbert Dillard Jr., a senior drill sergeant with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jackson instructs a recruit as he high crawls during a training exercise on the team live-fire range at Fort Jackson, Aug. 3, 2017. Army Reserve drill sergeants work with active duty drill sergeants at Fort Jackson to counter the influx of new recruits that occurs during the summer months. U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. Jeremiah Woods

a senior drill sergeant attached to Bravo Co., 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jackson and originally from Foxtrot Co. 1st Battalion 321st Infantry Regiment out of Lumberton, N.C. “I used to

work with troubled youth from 16 to 18 years old. So I might have insight on the psyche of some of these youth. I might be able to speak to them differently.”

One of the biggest attributes of

the Army Reserve drill sergeants, says Mascari, is their ability to step into an active duty role and fill that role with the professionalism of an active duty Soldier.

“Whenever we step foot on

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 27 ground, that very day, we are just thrown in there like a regular drill sergeant,” said Pate.“Just from being in our unit and going to drill sergeant school, we kind of know how to step in and take over what is needed to be picked up and we just run with it.”

“When you go see training in our battalion, you can’t tell the difference between the active duty drill sergeants and the Reserve drill sergeants,” said Army Lt. Col. Jason Pieri, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jackson.“Our active duty operational support drill sergeants are here for six months. Unless you know they’re active drill sergeants, you wouldn’t know.They’re great additions to the team.”

They conduct themselves as an active duty drill sergeant would, said Mascari about his Reserve soldiers.“I would put my worst drill sergeant up against the best in the Army, I’m that confident in their abilities.”

LTG Charles D. Luckey, commanding general, United States Army Reserve Command has expressed his vision of the Army Reserve being a lethal, capable and combat ready force.The reserve drill sergeants at Fort Jackson are shining example of that vision coming to fruition.

“We have to turn these civilians into Soldiers,” said Dillard.“Once they become Soldiers, some of them will actually be National Guard or Reserve themselves. If we don’t prepare these Soldiers, then we’re wrong. Whether they’re Reserve, National Guard or Active Duty; they have to be prepared to

U.S. Army Reserve drill sergeants, Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Seemann and Staff Sgt. Ontavious Woodard, with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jackson, S.C., observe recruits as they begin a training exercise on the Omaha Beach team live-fire range at Fort Jackson, Aug. 3, 2017. U.S. Army Reserve drill sergeants assist their active duty counterparts at Fort Jackson during the summer months when recruit levels are highest. U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. Jeremiah Woods

fight the fight.”

“When we’re deployed, the standard and the expectation will be the same,” said Mascari.“Yes, we have Reserve component, National Guard and Active component, but at the end of the day, we are all Soldiers. We all wear the same flag.”

Turning recruits into Soldiers can be a daunting task.The Army Reserve drill sergeants who volunteer for the mission are willing to face this task with the same confidence, capability and professionalism that any Soldier would.

U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Ontavious Woodard, a drill sergeant with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jackson, S.C., observes a recruit as she clears her weapon system during a training exercise on the team live-fire range at Fort Jackson, Aug. 3, 2017. Army Reserve drill sergeants work with active duty drill sergeants at Fort Jackson to counter the influx of new recruits that occurs during the summer months. U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. Jeremiah Woods

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Seemann, a drill sergeant with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jackson, S.C., inspects a recruit’s weapon system after a training exercise on the team live-fire range at Fort Jackson, Aug. 3, 2017. Army Reserve drill sergeants work with active duty drill sergeants at Fort Jackson to counter the influx of new recruits that occurs during the summer months. U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. Jeremiah Woods

28 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

Gold

is the Goal

The 98th Training Division (IET) and the 1/46th Infantry Regiment Battalion hosted the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) competition from Nov. 14-18 at Fort Benning, Ga. During ceremony, all who successfully completed the requirements to receive the proficiency badge obtained awards as a result of their military proficiency in the GAFB events. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

By SPC Tynisha Daniel FORT BENNING, Ga. — Soldiers obtain awards as a result of their military proficiency throughout their military career, but to earn a proficiency badge

from the military of another country is much less common, and much more coveted.

Active duty (AD) and Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 1-46 Infantry Regiment Battalion, and

the 98th Training Division (IET) at Fort Benning volunteered to compete for the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) Nov. 14-18.

Dating back to the 1970’s, the GAFB is awarded to Soldiers as a way to show others that they have met all the proficiency requirements that was, and still is, needed to be a soldier.

The GAFB is earned by meeting stringent requirements in the areas of track and field, swimming, marksmanship, road marching, and other examinations needed to obtain the badge including a written evaluation report, first aid course, and pistol shoot. Participants can receive a bronze, silver or gold ranking for performing the requirements.

Staff Sgt. William J. Medina, an 88M with the 2-417th 3rd Brigade Training Battalion in Danbury CT, who just returned from Advanced Leadership Course (ALC) takes pride in staying fit and has his own personal work out regime he sticks to that helped him prepare for the GAFB. “Although I found out I was able to attend days before the competition, physically I felt I was already prepared,” sad Medina. “The proficiency requirements are only their (German soldiers) minimum, but gold is the goal.”

Preparing for the GAFB is not an easy task and participants strive to gain the honor of wearing the proficiency badge.

The events included in the GAFB are similar to Army

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 29

The 98th Training Division (IET) and the 1/46th Infantry Regiment Battalion hosted the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) competition from Nov. 14-18 at Fort Benning, Ga. During ceremony, all who successfully completed the requirements to receive the proficiency badge obtained awards as a result of their military proficiency in the GAFB events. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

The 98th Training Division (IET) and the 1/46th Infantry Regiment Battalion hosted the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) competition from Nov. 14-18 at Fort Benning, Ga. To earn the proficiency badge, U.S. Soldiers completed a 100-meter swim while wearing their full duty uniform in under four minutes, and also compete in events testing their marksmanship, physical fitness and a ruck march for endurance. Army photo

by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

The 98th Training Division (IET) and the 1/46th Infantry Regiment Battalion hosted the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) competition from Nov. 14-18 at Fort Benning, Ga. To earn the proficiency badge, U.S. Soldiers had to complete a 100-meter swim while wearing their full duty uniform in under four minutes, and also compete in events testing their marksmanship, physical fitness and a ruck march for endurance. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

Physical Fitness Test (APFT) standards but with a bit of twist.

For instance the 100-meter swim, is one of the most difficult events, partially due to the fact that the swim is done in uniform, something most Soldiers don’t train for on a regular basis.

“Swimming 100-meters in uniform and then removing your uniform while in the water doesn’t sound too hard, until you try it,” laughed Sgt 1st Class James Evans, supply NCOIC of the GAFB, 98th Training Division.

“I look at the competitors and think “Wow they really want this, they prepared for it.”

Physical Fitness is only one component to receiving the recognition of being awarded the GAFB and donning the badge. Staying mentally strong and encouraging yourself and peers is important says Evans.

“I tell the Soldiers every morning, ‘do your best and don’t

GOLD continued on Page 30

30 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

Gold Cont’d from page 29

let your performance on one event discourage yourself from another’,” said Evans. “The GAFB allows us (Soldiers) to compete alongside our other components and with the German Forces building our countries relationships.”

“Competing alongside our active duty counterparts with the Germans leadership here for the same honor brings us together even more,” said 2nd

Lt. Paul White, 1-321 Infantry Regiment, Cary, N.C. “It will always be one team one fight.”

Joint training with other multinational forces establishes one of the main lines of effort for strengthening the relationships among the battle groups conducting peacekeeping missions under NATO authority.

Soldiers interested and who did not complete the proficiency requirements this year are encouraged to research the GAFB and prepare for the opportunity to compete in the 2018 competition.

The 98th Training Division (IET) and the 1/46th Infantry Regiment Battalion hosted the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) competition from Nov. 14-18 at Fort Benning, Ga. Brigadier General Miles Davis, commanding general of the 98th Training Division (LT), pins Soldier. During ceremony, all who successfully completed the requirements to receive the proficiency badge obtained awards as a result of their military proficiency in the GAFB events. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

The 98th Training Division (IET) and the 1/46th Infantry Regiment Battalion hosted the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) competition from Nov. 14-18, 2017 at Fort Benning, Ga. 1LT Emylianne Fugimura finishes the last quarter mile of the ruck march, completing the GAFB competition.

Dating back to the 1970’s, the GAFB is awarded to Soldiers as a way to show others that they have met all the proficiency requirements that was, and still is, needed to be a soldier. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

The 98th Training Division (IET) and the 1/46th Infantry Regiment Battalion hosted the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) competition from Nov. 14-18 at Fort Benning, Ga. To earn the proficiency badge, U.S. Soldiers had to complete a 100-meter swim while wearing their full duty uniform in under four minutes, and also compete in events testing their marksmanship, physical fitness and a ruck march for endurance. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

The 98th Training Division (IET) and the 1/46th Infantry Regiment Battalion hosted the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFB) competition from Nov. 14-18 at Fort Benning, Ga. To earn the proficiency badge, U.S. Soldiers completed a 100-meter swim while wearing their full duty uniform in under four minutes, and also compete in events testing their marksmanship, physical fitness and a ruck march for endurance. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 31

Camp Blanding Welcomes New Commander

LTC Steven J. Knight addresses the 2/485th Regt, 2nd BDE, 98 IN DIV for the first time as Battalion Commander at Camp Blanding Florida.

By Maj. Michelle Lunato 98th Training Division (IET) Public Affairs Officer

Camp Blanding, Florida – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 485th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 98th Training Division (Initial Entry Training) welcomed a new commander during a Change of Command Ceremony at Camp Blanding, Florida on November 17.

Lt. Col. Steven J. Knight of Charleston, South Carolina, assumed command of the Iroquois warrior battalion from Lt. Col. James Nelson of Saint Louis, Missouri.

As Nelson, a distinguished military graduate from Lincoln University, looked out over his Army Reserve Soldiers for the last time, he thanked them for their hard work and told the audience just how dedicated they were.

“I see Soldiers who fought through two hurricanes and still managed to maintain our readiness and missions,” explained Nelson. “We had Soldiers who reported to Echo Missions just days before Hurricane Irma. They had to prepare their families and homes, and then leave them to report to Fort Jackson to accomplish the mission. They did so without complaining or asking for any special considerations!

Many sustained significant damage to their homes, but still continued with the mission, and did it superbly. If that is not commitment, than I don’t know what is!”

The outgoing commander then reflected on when he first arrived at the battalion and just how drastically things had changed since then.

“I see a group of Soldiers who

Camp Blanding FL, Friday, November 17, 2017. LTC Steven J. Knight receives the colors of the 2/485th Regt, from COL Lacovelli, signifying his acceptance of Command.

took us from number 19 of 19, dead last, in division readiness 18 months ago to the number one spot as of this week! I couldn’t think of a more fitting time to come out on top than that of my last few days in command!”

Nelson said.

With that, Nelson, whose next position is in division plans and operations, offered his Soldiers one last bit of advice before turning the ceremony over to his replacement, Knight, who holds

to masters degrees from Wintop University.

“The Army is expanding in the near future and you will be called upon to meet those challenges.

The active component can’t train the amount of Soldiers they need without us. So be ready!”

As Knight, whose last position was the deputy plans and operations officer for the 108th Training Command (IET), took the podium, he looked out over the formation of accomplished

Soldiers and said he thought long and hard on what he could say to a force that was already at the top.

“I began to try and think of a theme or a focal point. So as I am walking through the post exchange, it was right in front of me on a coffee cup: live like you are going to deploy tomorrow,” Knight said.

That constant state of readiness is not, and will not be an easy task said Knight. However, easy

32 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

CSM Torey D. Mosley prepares to hand the Battalion Colors to the outgoing Battalion Commander LTC James D. Nelson under the guidance of the 2nd BDE Commander, COL Lacovelli.

or not, it is Knight’s second most important goal for his new battalion. The first goal of producing more drill sergeants, 18 to be exact, tied right back in with his predecessor’s statement on how the Army would be expanding.

Producing more drill sergeants and managing readiness across the battalion are not easy tasks, but they are the ultimate missions of our Army Reserve training battalion nonetheless, said Knight.

With the promise of more hard work, Knight said he wanted to let his Soldiers know he was on their side though. “I’m here to serve you and make

you successful, so I’m available anytime you need me,” said the new commander.

Ultimately, to be successful, it cannot be all about work.

Soldiers need time for fun and family.

“We must find balance with our time. As Soldiers, we are never going to spend the same quantity of time with our families, as our civilian counterparts,” explained Knight.

“As all of you know, we are going to miss significant events. As Soldiers, we must make our time with our families of the highest quality, by maintaining highquality family time, we will be ready to deploy tomorrow!”

LTC James D. Nelson gives thanks to CSM Torey D. Mosely when he receives the Battalion colors of the 2/485th one last time.

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 33

From the 104th Training Division (LT) Commander

By Brig. Gen. B.G. Edwards Commanding, 104th Training Division (LT)

It is a great honor and privilege to serve as the Commander of the 104th Division (Leader Training).

Our unit spans 26 states, in 50 different facilities, and with over 2500 personnel. The Timberwolf formation is quickly becoming a unit of excellence, the “go to unit,” when answering our country’s call. This achievement was not made by a single Soldier, NCO, or Officer. Rather, it was made by the entire team. The Timberwolf team!

As the year 2017 comes to an end, I would like to take a few moments to reflect on what the 104th Division has accomplished.

This year, we trained 8,323 Cadets during our annual Cadet Summer Training as well as 1,200 Cadets at West Point.And, for the first time ever in our Division’s history, we trained 279 Midshipmen at the Merchant Marine Academy. Because of your dedication to our Army and to our Nation, 9,802 leaders are now trained and equipped to accomplish any

mission our Nation may require of them. Even more impressive, we did this while in transition. The division was reorganized to two Brigades and 9 battalions.The division turned over 50% of its assigned strength in the last year and every Soldier that wanted a new home found a new home. This achievement could not have been accomplished without the faithful service, sacrifice, and dedication to duty of the Soldiers of the 104th Division.

Looking forward, next year proves to be just as challenging. We are guided by a new vision statement while executing our mission with support to United States Army Cadet Command and the United States Army Military Academy. We will also assume a new enduring mission with support to the United States Merchant Marines Academy while continuing to execute our support to select Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Universities across the nation all with an aim of building future leaders for the Army.

We will execute these missions with a laser focus within the 108th Commander’s four pillars of readiness: Combat readiness, Soldier readiness, Family readiness, and safety readiness.

My Commander’s intent is to support the Army by building the most capable, combat-ready, and lethal force in the history of the Nation by accomplishing 100% of 104th mission requirements, improving readiness, and building leaders. All of our Soldiers must be available to meet national needs and priorities. This means being physically, medically, administratively, and educationally ready to deploy. Preparing our Soldiers in our formations is crucial in order to meet the challenges

ahead. Leaders in our formations today can find themselves facing combat conditions tomorrow.

Therefore, there is no time for “do overs.” As a leader, get to know your Soldiers, be proud of them, interact with them, and demonstrate to them what success looks like.

Some of our key tasks this year will be: • Optimize unit readiness. Be tough, trained, steadfast warriors who win. Develop esprit de corps in your units that builds Soldiers up and makes training enjoyable.

• Executing training that integrates readiness with mission oriented training.

• Maintain a battle rhythm that facilitates training execution with limited funds.

• Communicate often, both up and down the chain.

• Challenge and transform junior leaders into competent Army Reserve leaders; leaders who know the standards, processes, systems, and how to mentor, train, and coach the next generation.

The desired end state is the

successful execution of all assigned missions while maintaining a 100% safety record, with increased unit capacity and readiness that meets or exceeds USARC standards.

Be ready! Be relevant! Maintain your warrior focus! And keep up the great work Timberwolves! I am proud to be part of the Timberwolf pack!

BG Edwards Timberwolf 06!

See more of the 104th here: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=iOyLNzMRwks&feature=share https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AI 3FpzuM__5kaDXZoOjvpiT4aribLteh/ preview https://www.facebook. com/304thREGTUSMA

34 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

104th Providing Support

By Sgt. Carlos Garcia USMA

U.S. Army Reserve Master Sgt. Henry W. Johnson, a senior trainer assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment (U.S. Military Academy), 104th Training Division (Leader Training), 108th Training Command, from Saco, Maine advises what type of adjustments are needed on the M240B machine gun for the incoming Cadets, at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., Aug. 4, 2017. Instructors from the 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment have been tasked with training incoming Cadets at West Point for over 30 years. U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Carlos J. Garcia

WEST POINT, N.Y. — Having the responsibility of training Cadets at the United States Military Academy (USMA) is not an easy task.

Knowing that you can potentially help mold the future leaders of the U.S.Army or the next U.S. president is a great responsibility.

Every year in the summer Cadets report to USMA to conduct Cadet Basic Training (CBT) as part of their initial entry into the military.

U.S.Army Reserve Master Sgt. Henry W. Johnson, a senior trainer assigned to the 3rd Battalion of the 304th Infantry Regiment (USMA), 104th Training Division (Leader Training), 108th Training command, from Saco, Maine, takes great pride in coming here year after year to help train the Cadets at West Point.

“I have been coming here almost every year since I joined the 3/304th in 2004,” said Johnson.

Although Johnson is mainly tasked to support the USMA with its training requirements while assigned to the 3/304th he also has supported other missions as well.

One of the missions Johnson has supported was his first deployment with the Army Reserve to Iraq where he performed aerial surveillance reconnaissance in direct support of ground operations aboard a C-12 aircraft while assigned to an observe, detect, identify and neutralize (ODIN) task

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 35 force.

Although Johnson missed the CBT mission a few summers in the past 13-years, he ensures that as a senior trainer in the 3/304th he is up to standard with his training skills and abilities.

“As you know if you don’t practice your skills you can grow a little rusty,” said Johnson.

“The USMA depends on 3/304th to train the cadets to standard,which in turn helps us

sustain a level of proficiency within our unit,” said Johnson. “This also increases our individual and unit combat readiness.”

Typically Johnson comes to the USMA for about two-to-three weeks to support the weapons familiarization with crew served weapons and hand grenade training.

But as a senior trainer he has also provided training support to other missions the USMA needs assistance with.

U.S. Army Reserve Master Sgt. Henry W. Johnson, a senior trainer assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment (U.S. Military Academy), 104th Training Division (Leader Training), 108th Training Command, from Saco, Maine demonstrates how to clear a M240B machine gun for the incoming Cadets, at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., Aug. 4, 2017. Instructors from the 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment have been tasked with training incoming Cadets at West Point for over 30 years. U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Carlos J. Garcia

One of the additional opportunities the 3/304th has been tasked with is training support for the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition at West Point.

“The Sandhurst competition is a heavily watched event because of all the Cadets from other U.S. military branches and Cadets from other allied countries that participate in the event,” said Johnson.

Although the Sandhurst competition is a smaller event in size compared to CBT, the competition requires that we

provide the most senior skilled trainers our unit has to offer, said Johnson.

As a senior trainer Johnson looks forward to continuing with the 3/304th and providing training support to the primary mission with the CBT and any other event the USMA requires.

“I expect the USMA to continue to demand the best from us,” said Johnson. “As they should, and if the USMA has more missions that need support, we will continue to provide the best.”

36 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

COC Joint Base Lewis Flanked by 104th Training Division (LT) incoming commander Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Edwards II, and outgoing commander Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Darrell J. Guthrie, Maj. General Mark McQueen, commanding general of the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training) prepares to host the Timberwolf change of command at Watkins Field, Joint Base LewisMcChord,Brigadier Sept. 23, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 37

By SPC Tynisha L. Daniel Joint Base Lewis-McChord, W.A.— The 104th Training Division (Leader Training) held a historical change of command ceremony at Watkins Field on Sept. 23, 2017.

Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Edwards II assumed command of the 104th from Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Darrell J. Guthrie.

With Mount Rainier peeking from the clouds, and the sound of the Army Band setting the tone for the ceremonious event, the change of command commenced at 1500.

After the honors and cannon salute, presentation of colors and passing of Command Colors, remarks were made

by Commander Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, 108th Training Command followed by the outgoing and incoming commanders.

“Thank you for providing pure guidance and maximum space to design the mission,” said Guthrie, expressing his gratitude to his leadership, Soldiers and family during his remarks. ”I could not have had a better group of mentors and examples of selfless leadership,” The change of command ceremony uses the passing of colors (unit flags) to symbolize passing the command of the 104th Division between commanders.

The passing of colors represents

104th Division (Leader Training) Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Darrell J. Guthrie relinquished command to Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Edwards with the passing of the colors during Change of Command ceremony today at Watkins Field, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Sept. 23,2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

the lineage, honor and unity of the division and its Soldiers. The colors are passed from the command sergeant major to the outgoing commander and finally from the incoming back to the command sergeant major signifying the heritage.

“You are the right leader

at the right time to take the Timberwolves to new heights,” said Guthrie in the closing of his remarks to Edwards.

Currently comprised of two brigades and nine battalions throughout the United States, during his tenure as Commander of the 104th Guthrie reorganized

the division into what it is today.

Guthrie also took the time to thank his biggest supporter, his wife Shari.

“She has been my partner and best friend for almost thirty years, she is the ultimate Army Reserve wife,” said Guthrie.“You indeed epitomize that most cherished of

38 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 the Army Values, Selfless service. I love you, and I am very proud to be Shari’s husband.”

Native of Lubbock, Texas, Guthrie will now serve as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (USACAPOC) at Fort Bragg, N.C. USACAPOC supports the Army and Joint Force with strategic, operational, and tactical civil affairs, military information support, and information operations capabilities across the range of military operations.

Once Guthrie concluded his remarks it was time for Edwards to step forward into his new role.

“It is truly and honor and privilege to have this awesome responsibility bestowed upon me,” said Edwards.

“You have built and outstanding unit and much to be proud of, I will do my very best to continue to build in your success and move this unit to the next level

of excellence, said Edwards to Guthrie.

During his previous assignment, Edwards served as deputy chief of staff of operations, at Joint Enabling Capability Command in Norfolk, Va., (TRANSCOM).

Currently residing in Houston, Texas, Edwards will not only serve as the new Commander of the 104th but as the Deputy Commanding General for Reserve Support and Accessions at the U.S. Army Cadet Command at Fort Knox, Ky. “As I step in command I must convey my deepest appreciation and gratitude for this phenomenal opportunity, one for which I do not take lightly,” he said.

Headquartered at JBLM since 2010, the mission of the 104th is to provide education and training to future officers and reception support to the Army Training Centers for an Army at war in support of a Nation at war.

104th Training Division (LT) “Timberwolves” participate in the change of command ceremony between Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Darrell J. Guthrie and Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Edwards today at Watkins Field, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Sept. 23,2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

104th Training Division (Leader Training) leadership poses with 108th Training Division commanding general, Maj. Gen. Mark McQueen at the change of command ceremony at Watkins Field, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Sept. 23, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 39

The Road Less Traveled

Story by Spc. Nicole Nicolas The U.S. Army Reserve is composed of 80 percent enlisted Soldiers and 20 percent Officers but few experience both sides.

Currently, two Army Reserve Soldiers from 3/304th Regiment (USMA), 104th training division (LT) are taking on the challenge of transitioning from an enlisted Soldier to an Officer.

PFC Patrick Johnson, a trainer from the 3/304th Regiment (USMA), 104th Training Division (LT), Saco, Maine, is also a Cadet at the University of Maine.

“Seeing the enlisted side is important because the officer side and enlisted side are two houses that work together to get their mission done,” said Johnson.“I feel like a lot of Cadets don’t pick up on the opportunity to see what life on the enlisted side is.”

Johnson took off a few semesters of school to join the Army Reserve a little over a year ago. After finishing basic training and his Advanced Individual Training (AIT) to become a human resource specialist, he enrolled in Reserve

Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine.

ROTC programs generally consist of military science courses in addition to the traditional college undergrad classes, which allow Cadets to expand their leadership skills as they seek a commission to become an Officer in the Armed Forces.

This summer, as part of his commitment to the Army Reserve, Johnson is at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, training new Cadets on Army weaponry.

A diverse trainer, Johnson has conducted lane safety on the AT4 Rocket Launcher range, provided instruction on how to fire the AT4, and spent 10 days on the buddy lane fire range aiding Cadets in conducting squad movements.

“I was on live fire exercise range for ten days,” Johnson said.

“It helped me to learn more about squad movements, which will help me to teach my Cadets back at Black Bear Battalion (University of Maine) better and it also will help

me when I go to my leadership camp to be evaluated as a leader.”

Sgt. Amy Donahue will also become an officer in the near future, but unlike Johnson, she will follow the state Officer Candidate School path with the National Guard. With this program, she will transfer to the 399th Medical Detachment and complete officer training once a month for the next 16 to 18 months. At the end of her training, she will attend a two-week course to culminate her schooling and receive her commission.

On her “green to gold” road, Donahue received a letter of recommendation from a colonel and interviewed for a candidate position at the unit she wanted become a part of.

Although Donahue has a Bachelor’s degree in adult education and training, she is currently working on her Master’s degree and working as a tomography technologist, an medical-imaging specialist who runs the equipment necessary to obtain images of clients needed by medical professionals providing care.

With her civilian job in medical but her education in training, Donahue wanted to expand her military viewpoint.

“That’s why I (initially) joined this unit (3/304th Regiment) I left the medical company because I wanted to get a different Army experience,” Donahue said.

Although Donahue has enjoyed the two years she spent training Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, her choice to return as an Officer to the medical field and tie her two fields of expertise together became clear

in a conversation with her current commander.

“I decided to go with Officer Candidate School (OCS),” said Donahue.“I like to plan training I’ve already trained enough and done the non-commissioned Officer role.

I like to design and plan training that can be more effective and better train soldiers.”

Not only did her commander aid in her decision, she also gave Donahue a lot of inside information on what to expect during her training, leading to the realization that although Donahue believes OCS is the right path for her, it will not be an easy road.

“I think both ways (ROTC vs OCS) have their strengths and weaknesses to be had on both sides,” said Donahue.“I know some Officers that go Green to Gold that sometimes have a hard time not stepping on their noncommissioned Officer’s toes or senior leaders toes because they want to train Soldiers or on make on-spot corrections but that’s not your role anymore and that can hurt the situation.”

Deciding to change paths doesn’t mean Donahue regrets her decision to start her career on the enlisted side.

“The experience you have from starting from the bottom, being a non-commissioned Officer and junior enlisted is super valuable,” said Donahue.

Although Johnson and Donahue are taking different roads to their commission, both say they will use their time as enlisted to help them understand the Soldiers they will lead in the future, and they look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

40 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

U.S. Army Reserve Talent Magnet: Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (SROTC) Battalions

By Lt. Col. Greg Gimenez 4-414th Regiment (SROTC “West)” Battalion Commander

Out of the 7,000-plus Soldiers in the 108th Training Command, only three were selected by the Office of the Chief of the Army Reserve (OCAR) for its international programs in 2017.

Remarkably, all three come from the same Army Reserve battalion: the 4-414th Regiment Senior Reserve Officers Training Corps, West (SROTC “West”).

OCAR creates a selection board that chooses candidates for three distinct opportunities: the Military Reserve Exchange Program (MREP), the Young Reserve Officer Workshop (YROW), and the French Immersion Course with Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers Language Academy (CIOR CLA). The 4-414th Battalion — and the 108th Command for that matter – is the only command to make a clean sweep this year, winning all three categories.

That’s just the beginning. The 4-414th has a magnetic ability to attract talent. The 4-414th has one of top 100 MBA graduates in the country, two Goldman Sachs interns (out of the eight nationwide/stateside), and two recent TPU resident Intermediate Education (ILE) graduates.

4-414th also boasts an Olympian, four PhDs (or candidates), and a dozen civil servants. And the 4-414th has a state judge, two prosecutors, a published author,

Talent-rich Battalion. Only three individuals in the 108th Training Command were selected by the Office of the Chief of the Army Reserve International Selection Board – and all three hail from the same battalion, the 4-414th Regiment (SROTC “West”).

Starting from the left, Major Daniel Morse will go to Estonia, Major Andrea Rodriguez-Hardman will go to Poland, and Captain Megan Allen will go to Czech Republic. Nationally, Morse was one of 15 selected; Allen was one of five, and Rodriguez-Hardman was only one of two.

and three Reserve Instructors of the Year in its formation. The examples continue: a university provost recently wrote a letter to a 4-414th NCO instructor, Master Sergeant Richard Dalton, congratulating him for being among the best instructors at the institution, which includes competing against other PhD faculty (the NCO does not have a PhD, by the way).

So why do all these interesting people gravitate to the same unit? The answer lies in the SROTC mission — and the area of operations. The SROTC

battalions’ mission involves developing future officers during their formative years as college students. Consequently, SROTC battalions are on university campuses – a strong incentive to Reserve members who become aware of the unique opportunity.

University campuses also serve as a prime recruiting location for departing active duty talent seeking advanced degrees. The SROTC battalions’ vast reach extends to all 50 states and U.S. territories where universities have Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs. They

have unit members located in Hawaii and Maine – and everywhere in between.

Captain (promotable) Josh Rodriguez who is top 100 MBA graduate in the country and a former Goldman Sachs intern from Seattle University, Albers School of Business, had this to say about being part of the SROTC mission, “Drilling at the ROTC department while getting an MBA has been an incredible experience. It’s very easy to schedule more time with the local ROTC battalion when you’re only a quarter mile away and I

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 41

found myself more effective and present for the cadets as well.

As an MBA candidate I led the veterans association and was able to leverage the influence as an instructor to bring some of our military’s best leaders to come and speak both to our ROTC department and business school students. Integrating the ROTC department with some of the activities at the business school also exposed cadets

commissioning as Reservists to a variety of industries they can matriculate into when not wearing the uniform. It’s been an all-around positive experience and every Soldier transitioning out of the Army and into b-school should put some serious thought into joining the 4-414th - a wonderful way to give back.”

Statistically, the 4-414th has twice the Army average of women in its formation and it

sends a sizable number of its members to joint assignments after their tenure. Another talented cohort can be found in its sister battalion, the 4-413th Regiment (SROTC “East”) — whose leader, Lt. Col. William M. Sharp, went through Special Forces, twice – once as an enlisted member and once as an officer.

As a talent magnet, the 4-414th certainly made an impact on

OCAR’s international selection board this year. In the end, OCAR selected Major Daniel Morse, an Assistant Professor of Military Science (APMS) at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley to go to Estonia.

OCAR selected Captain Megan Allen, a recruiter for the 4-414th, to go to the Czech Republic. And, OCAR selected MAJ Andrea RodriguezHardman, an APMS at California State University-Fullerton to go to Poland. In the entire Army Reserve, Morse was one of fifteen selected, Allen was one of five, and Rodriguez-Hardman was only one of two. Allen was also invited to brief members of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon upon the completion of her experience.

As an SROTC battalion commander, it is easy for me to showcase the talent in the formation. But, I really don’t need to say much – the facts speak for themselves – who these people are don’t change regardless of what I say about them.

It’s my job, however, to keep their talent in the Reserve – to make us all better.

For information on joining one of the SROTC battalions, contact the unit at 253-9678120 or contact the author at gregory.e.gimenez.mil@mail.mil

42 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

THE COMMAND

108th Training Command Celebrates Newly Promoted Soldiers

By Capt. Tara MatchulaPublic Affairs Officer, 108th Training Command

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 108th Training Command celebrated in promoting four soldiers this weekend at its Headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Maj. Gen. Mark McQueen personally promoted each soldier one-by-one at the final formation on Saturday, allowing the newly promoted to say a few words to the command and thank their families for being there and supporting them.

Among the family members

Maj. Gen. Mark McQueen, commanding general of the 108th Training Command (far right), standing next to newly promoted Maj. Douglas Beer (far left), with his wife and daughter (center) during Saturday’s promotion ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel/RELEASED

Maj. Gen. Mark McQueen, commanding general of the 108th Training Command (far left), standing next to newly promoted Maj. Keith Carmack (far right), with his parents (center) during Saturday’s promotion ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Photo by Spc. Tynisha Daniel / RELEASED

present was retired Staff Sgt. Ken Carmack, whose son, Keith Carmack, was promoted to the rank of Major yesterday. Ken Carmack served in the 108th Training Command from 1961 to 1969, and was recognized for his service in the 108th by the commanding general, who

presented Carmack with a coin in gratitude for his service.

The Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander Douglas Beer was also promoted to the rank of Major yesterday. His wife and baby daughter were there to support him, as he continues

the demanding position of commander in his new rank.

The 108th Training Command congratulates all of their newly promoted service members and is proud to have soldiers such as these within its ranks.

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 43

CW3 Warrick George (Mr. during the week) will be wearing cheering for the Tarheels now that his daughter Hannah has officially declared for the University of North Carolina. Hannah, a standout softball player at Northside High School, originally committed to UNC her sophomore year but that commitment was reinforced with a trip to Chapel Hill this fall. Capping her career as a four-year starter at Northside, including this year’s Class 4A state title, Hannah holds school records with a .427 career batting average and 23 home runs. She also has a 30-12 pitching record and has notched 358 strikeouts. Congratulations Hannah, Division-I blue will look great on you!

Once a Timberwolf, always a Timberwolf! Brig. Gen. Edwards gets an assist from fellow Nightfighters during the cake cutting portion of his change of command ceremony.

44 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

SHARP During, the Third Annual HQDA Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program Improvement Forum (PIF), 30-31 August 2017 held at the Mark Center, Alexandria,Virginia the following critically important information to enable Commands to be mission ready was shared:

a. Resource Management Mr. Steven Thomas, SHARP Budget Analyst and COL Timothy Frambes, SHARP Chief of Staff, Army G-1, strongly suggested Army Reserve (AR) Commands utilize the “Comments” section of their Unit Status Report (USR) to communicate the operational risk and readiness issues our Divisions and Brigades assume due to their collateral Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) and Victim Advocate (VA) positions and their wide coverage area(s); neither are negatively affecting active component.

b. Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) The National Organization for

Victim Assistance (NOVA) manages the process from the D-SAACP Credentialing application receipt through certificate mailing in 120 days or less; the overview of the D-SAACP Credentialing Process is as follows: Step 1. 108th/Mrs. James submits applicant’s application packet to NOVA; Step 2. NOVA confirms receipt within five business days via email and processes application; Step 3. NOVA reviews application for completeness and accuracy; Step 4. Applicant receives email of application status within ten business days. If there are any discrepancies, the applicant must submit the corrected application

and/or requested materials.After six months of inactivity or lack of response to the “abeyance,” the applicant must start over; Step 5. D-SAACP Committee reviews application materials; Step 6. Applicant receives official email notification of certification within five business days after last day of D-SAACP Board meeting.

Applicant can start providing advocacy services with receipt of email; and Step 7. NOVA mails certificate packets four to six weeks after the D-SAACP Board meeting to each credentialed SHARP professional.

Next board convenes 27-29 NOV 17.

c. Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) 1B/1H Process HQDA is currently conducting an ongoing data scrub in conjunction with HRC to clean-up ASIs, i.e. if a SARC / VA completed the 80 HR

SHARP Certification Course and/ or SHARP Foundation Course but never completed their ASI, they MUST take the course again if four years has lapsed since their training completion to remain relevant.

Submit the DA Form 4187/1B ASI to Mrs. James, 108th SARC, who will forward to Mr. Steve Castille/HRC for processing.

d. SHARP videos These can be downloaded at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?l ist=PLnm1N8P1ITinO5x1z1XfziooD aizNI8Pi. All SHARP videos at this site are T-JAG, policy and SHARP Academy approved with a disclaimer of use and are meant to be facilitated by a credentialed/trained SARC or VA.The videos were made by independent companies, not by HQDA SHARP Program Office for entertainment and education purposes, and some may make people uncomfortable;

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 45 therefore, those facilitating MUST state upfront the intent for use and have assistance available for those who need it.While viewing the videos, answer the following question as you plan your own SHRAP facilitation / training: (1) Which group/audience are you most likely to show video to?

(2) When/Where would be the most appropriate time to show the video? (Annual Training, Pre/ Post Deployment Training, SAAPM events, etc.

e. ELITE SHARP BRAVE Emergent Leader Immersive Training Environment Bystander Resource,Assessment & Virtual Exercise is to educate Soldiers on the bystander intervention steps to disrupt incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault. It is a laptop-based training application and doesn’t acquire a facilitator; it is individual/self-paced and may be utilized as “make-up” for Face-to-Face annual SHARP training.

f. ELITE CTT Emergent Leader Immersive Training Environment Command Team Trainer is to develop Command Teams knowledge and skills to respond to incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

It too is self-paced instruction with demonstrated Command Team strategies, practice scenarios, and an After Action Review.

g. Special Victim Counsel (SVC) Program Determination if an AR sexual assault victim is eligible for SVC services will be determined by USAR Legal Command, POC: MAJ Angelia Champoux at (301) 944-3668 or (571) 216-6937.

h. ITAPDB Access SARCs need access to ITAPDB for UIC “Soldier Lookup” to assist with correct DSAID entry.

i. Line of Duty (LOD) AR 600-8-4 is being AR 600-8-4 is being revised with a new chapter to explain proper processing of sexual assault LODs. This year’s PIF theme was “Mission Possible:TRUST – Implementing a Holistic Program,” which speaks to the Army’s commitment to maintaining transparency, reliability, and unsurpassed excellence.

Therefore, I, along with LTG Thomas Seamands, Deputy Chief of Staff,Army G1 and Ms. Monique Ferrell, SHARP Director,Army G1 are encouraging all Commanders and SARCs / UVAs to place these tools into your SHARP toolkits to successfully lead your SHARP Programs for FY18.

For additional information please contact Mrs. Paula James, 108th Training Command SARC/Program Manager, at paula.w.james.civ@mail.mil or (704) 342-5169.

46 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

Integrated Personnel and Pay System - Army (IPPS-A) is coming and it means big changes for Soldiers, Leaders, and Human Resource Professionals! Perhaps you have heard someone talking about IPPS-A or maybe even seen the logo, but do you know what it is? IPPS-A is an online Human Resources (HR) system that will provide integrated personnel, pay and talent management capabilities in a single system to all Army Components for the first time ever.

But what you really want to know is “what does IPPSA mean for me? “.

What Will IPPS-A Mean For You as Soldier?

• Deliver near real-time access to an online record for your entire career. Allowing you to review one comprehensive record to verify and ensure full credit of your service and entitled benefits.

• Provide online self-service capability for personnel actions and allow tracking from start to finish.

Minimizing wait time for transactions and the need for you to make in-person appointments; and providing you transparency of the status of approvals and explanations for process delays.

• Ensure personnel actions automatically trigger pay actions using the latest technology. Reducing pay errors and increasing your

financial readiness by ensuring the timeliness and accuracy of HR and pay actions.

• S treamline the process for transferring between deployments, assignments and Components. Allowing you to easily execute mobilization and demobilization actions with HR Professionals to decrease delays in pay transactions, errors in information and loss of data.

What Will IPPS-A Mean for You as a Leader and/or Commander?

•P rovide Total Force Visibility in one streamlined system and dashboard to increase Total Force Readiness. Enhancing your decision-making to support readiness with better transparency, accountability and accuracy when reporting and reviewing Command strength.

• Automate Talent Management capabilities to differentiate talent and better manage our people.

By better understanding workforce talent, the Army can maximize Soldier Knowledge, Skills and Behaviors (KSB) to allow the placement of the right Soldier in the right job at the right time.

•E nsure that the Total Army implements an auditable system, fully supporting Congressional requirements.

Delivering a secure,

comprehensive and searchable tool to support Total Force Readiness, Soldier financial readiness and Soldier career mobility.

•D eliver near-real time global online access and the ability to initiate, review, approve and track personnel actions.

What does IPPS-A Mean for You as a Human Resources Professional?

• Provide the ability to initiate, review, approve and track personnel actions online.

Saving time, increasing productivity, and reducing manual documents and the need for Soldiers to be physically present for document submissions.

• Eliminate the need to input the same personnel information into multiple personnel and pay databases. Reducing errors caused by inaccurate and repetitive data entry; and allowing automated workflow to dramatically increase the efficiency of HR, pay and talent management processes.

• Enable personnel data updates to trigger automatic pay transactions. Allowing the easy execution of HR and pay actions and increasing

the timeliness and accuracy of Soldier personnel, pay and benefits regardless of Component.

• Streamline the process for transferring Soldiers between deployments, assignments and Components. Reducing the amount of time needed for transitioning Soldiers between statuses and Components; and ensuring accurate and timely personnel and pay information during the process.The Army Reserve will implement IPPS-A in FY19. So what can you do to prepare for IPPS-A? It is incumbent upon Soldiers and HR Professionals to identify and correct these inconsistencies at the earliest opportunity.

Making these corrections not only helps improve data accuracy and correctness, it sets the foundation for future IPPS-A capabilities regarding pay, assignment and promotion actions. IPPS-A strongly encourages Soldiers to identify data errors on their ARB and take steps to correct them and work with your HR professional to update source systems, if necessary.

For more information visit the public website at www.ipps-a. army.mil.

The USAR Minute Man Scholarship The USAR Minuteman Scholarship was introduced in 2015 to enhance the Army Reserve’s ability to recruit highly qualified cadets every year. All qualified applicants for ROTC scholarships may apply for the 4-year Minuteman Scholarship. Effective 15 Jan 17, each Army Reserve MSC is authorized to nominate four (4) cadets for up to a 4-year Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarship. However, after 15 Jun 17, if there are any scholarships remaining that have not been awarded, the pool of remaining scholarships will become available on a first-come-first serve basis to any MSC that can use them. All Minuteman Scholarship packets must be received by 15 Aug annually at the United States Army Cadet Command (USACC), for benefits to start Fall term 2017.

The Minute Man Scholarship covers full tuition and fees or $10,000 per year toward room and board at any college or university served by an Army ROTC program. Scholarship recipients must serve in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) and attend all battle assemblies monthly. After graduation and commissioning, scholarship recipients will serve an 8-year commitment in the Army Reserve.

For more information on qualifications and the nomination process, see your unit S-1 Professionals.

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 47

MILITARY RESOURCES Travel USA 48 Make Arlington Your Basecamp for Capital Exploration

49 Visit Putnam County: Tastes and Talents Month 50 Color Outside the Lines at St. George 51 Find a Great Winter Get-A-Way in Hendersonville 52 Universal Orlando Resort 54 Escape to Paradise: Alabama’s Gulf Coast

55

55 Sequoia Foothills Celebrate 12th Annual ‘Hero Appreciation Months’ in 2018

56 Spring in the Lowcountry 60 Be Daring and Win — Apply Military Special Operations Strategy for Business Success

Homeschool Options

58 8 Reasons to Put Sevierville on Your Must-Visit List

51

61 Homeschooling

Facts and Trends

52 50

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48 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

Make Arlington Your Basecamp for Capital Exploration Your service to the United States gives life to patriotism that’s more than flag-waving and fireworks.Why not receive a little gratitude for it?

A visit to Arlington,Virginia, directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., honors your commitment and renews American inspiration. Spend time with heroes.

See how America has written its history in sacred relics, memorials and magnificent architecture.

A wonderful part of visiting is that so much of it is free, from museums to monuments. Check the StayArlington.com calendar for free concerts by the U.S.Army Band in Arlington. Enjoy military discounts for mainstage shows at Arlington’s Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre.

Shop “Military Mondays” at Pentagon Row stores and restaurants offering discounts for service members.

Admission is free for Smithsonian museums downtown and the zoo, and tickets are not used for general admission except for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Bypass long lines there by showing your military badge for entry with a guest.

In Arlington, you’ll find 45 hotels, most of which are near Metro stations, to make touring convenient and affordable. Many attractions are walkable from hotels, and a sight opening this spring offers a whole different perspective on the capital area: The Observation Deck at Central Place in Arlington’s Rosslyn neighborhood, set to open in May 2018, is 31 stories high. Its outdoor cantilevered terrace will give visitors spectacular views of the Washington, D.C. skyline.

Besides postcard views, an Arlington trip is loaded with fun your children will enjoy — plus the history lesson you sneak in without them realizing it: • Learn how Union soldiers lived and protected Washington, D.C. at Fort C.F. Smith, which was constructed by Union Troops in

Pentagon Memorial

early 1863.

• At the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, learn about the 184 lives lost in the terrorist attack at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

• See the majesty of the Marine Corps War Memorial, a bronze monument modeled after the famous photo of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima.

• Visit the Air Force Memorial honoring men and women who have served in the Air Force.

• Take a guided tour of the Pentagon given by military personnel and available by reservation only.

No words are necessary when you http:// visit Arlington National Cemetery, www.visitcedarhi the final resting place for more than lltx.com 400,000 service members.“These memories, sad and proud, these quiet grounds, this cemetery ... remind us with pride of our obligation and our opportunity,” said President John F. Kennedy. An eternal flame marks Kennedy’s grave located below Arlington House — The Robert E. Lee Memorial.

Peer inside the actual slave quarters at Arlington House, and find out how Maria Syphax connects one African-American family and their descendants to the very foundation of the United States. Learn why Mrs. Lee’s flower garden is part of the true story of the founding of the cemetery.

See the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

and visit the graves of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and President William Howard Taft.Treat the children to a tour of the stables and visit horses who train constantly for solemn duty with the caisson platoon.

Keep everyone smiling with hiking or biking along the Potomac; climbing the walls at Earth Treks, a rock climbing gym; or with indoor ice skating year round at Kettler Capitals Iceplex or outdoors at Pentagon Row during winter months.

Check out the Crystal City Water Park with giant chess, hammocks and ping pong in warmer weather.Take advantage of military access to the 25-lane bowling facility at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

You’ll definitely work up an appetite, and Arlington’s food scene is as diversified as Arlington itself.

Satisfy a sweet tooth:Amaze children with a King Kong sundae fit for a dozen people at Sugar Factory. Pick up an all-chocolate capitol dome at Schakolad Chocolate Factory.

Staying in Arlington offers the right mix of education and fun for all to gain appreciation of why #firstintraining matters, to renew purpose within yourself and to continue to hold your country accountable to its highest values. Stay close to monuments and museums in Arlington and make memories that last on a family-friendly capital vacation.

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THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 49

Visit Putnam County: Tastes and Talents Month Spring is an ideal time to plan a visit to Putnam County, West Virginia. Spend an evening strolling historic Main Street in downtown Hurricane featuring boutique shops and delicious local food.

Relax in West Virginia’s largest cigar lounge, Almost Havana. Or float the scenic Kanawha River with a stand-up paddleboard lesson from Appalachian Boarding Company.

Guests can always find dozens of events, many of which are free and open to the public, by visiting the Events page at VisitPutnamWV.com.

Throughout March experience Tastes and Talents Month, a focus on food and the arts in the community. Restaurants offer specials and new dishes, host live music and local artwork, and there

Downtown Hurricane

are dozens of Tastes and Talents events such as classes, special shopping opportunities and more throughout the month.

In April, Putnam County is home to the West Virginia Food Truck Festival, scheduled for Saturday, April 14.Taste local and regional flavors while enjoying live music in a beautiful outdoor venue. Visit WVFoodTruckFestival.com for tickets and information.

Valley Park, our largest public park, has been undergoing a huge renovation and is set to reopen in May.The newly appointed park will feature a conference center, new tennis courts, soccer, and baseball fields alongside an ADA-compliant play structure and a 40-yard dash obstacle course.

Make a splash at Waves of Fun, a wave pool and waterslide complex, which will be open beginning Memorial Day weekend for fun in the sun.

“Putnam County is perfectly positioned between West Virginia’s two largest cities, Huntington and Charleston,” said Kelli Dailey, Putnam County CVB Director.

“This means our visitors can discover the best of West Virginia’s arts and culture, while enjoying small-town charm

in the heart of the valley. With dozens of locally-owned restaurants and shops, friendly people, and family-friendly activities, it’s an

ideal place to plan a relaxing getaway with access to so many amenities within minutes.”

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50 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

Color Outside the Lines at St. George Do you always “color inside the lines” on vacation? You know, the regular touristy things like sightseeing and shopping? Maybe a little hiking if you’re feeling adventurous?

Well, the red rock country around St. George, Utah is full of color, but there’s no need to stay within the lines while enjoying it. And with high temperatures typically in the 50s and 60s, winter is the perfect time to “color outside the lines” in this outdoor playground.

A singular form of adventure found here is canyoneering.This term applies to the exploration of slot canyons — those extremely narrow features carved by water through solid rock. From the top, they may not look like much, with gaps as narrow as 3 feet, but those limited openings often conceal profound depths, some plunging as much as 100 feet to the canyon floor.That’s why canyoneering is more than just a simple hike through a typical, scenic canyon.

Yes, there is hiking in canyoneering, but it also might include a little rappelling and possibly some scrambling or climbing. And the water that carved these canyons? It’s not necessarily gone. Adventurers may find themselves wandering through waist-deep pools or even swimming.

Slot canyons can be found throughout the St. George and Zion National Park areas. Some are hidden gems that require precise directions to locate in the backcountry while others, like the famous Subway, are in the midst of one of the nation’s most popular national parks.

If you’re not comfortable with canyoneering on your own, a number of local businesses offer guiding services to the most popular slot canyons in the region. Many of these companies offer other outdoor activities like mountain biking and rock climbing.

With the sheer vertical walls of Zion National Park as well as smaller, entry-level experiences and everything in between, this area is a growing rock climbing destination. In fact, it’s even beginning to attract international attention.

Diversity of rock type is part of what makes it so attractive to climbers. Sandstone in Snow Canyon State Park and the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve offers climbing in spots like the Chuckwalla Wall, located within the city limits of St. George. Meanwhile, Utah Hill and Woodbury Road, both west of the city, deliver limestone routes while the Pine Valley Mountains boast granite climbs wait for summer to check out those

Pine Valley Mountain, which is in higher elevations.

If you’re not quite ready to scale

hikes can be found in places like Snow Canyon State Park. Most of the trails in Snow Canyon are

Zion’s monumental sandstone cliffs, the region is also home to the Moe’s Valley bouldering area, with more than a dozen bouldering routes near St. George.The nearby Green Valley Gap is another popular climbing area with its sport and traditional routes.

For those who would rather keep their feet firmly planted on the ground, there is no shortage of hiking destinations around St. George and Zion. Of course, the park is known for its worldclass hikes like Angels Landing, Observation Point, Hidden Canyon, Kolob Arch and the infamous Narrows.These aren’t riverside strolls; they’re serious hiking!

Much like the canyoneering routes mentioned above, the Narrows requires trekking through water — in this case it’s the Virgin River, and most of the 9.4mile route requires you to hike in the river itself because it fills the narrow canyon from wall to wall. Meanwhile, routes like Angels Landing and Hidden Canyon take you far above Zion Canyon as the steep ascents provide breathtaking panoramas and precipitous drops, where it’s a good idea to grab the chains provided along the way.

Outside of Zion, challenging

on the shorter side but some do stretch out in the 6-8-mile range while others, like the shorter 3.5mile Red Sands Trail and the 1.5mile Cinder Cone Trail can be challenging due to deep sand and elevation changes, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve has dozens of trails, from tiny connectors to epic journeys.

The reserve sprawls to the north of the St. George metro area, with many trailheads at the edge of the city. Some routes are better for mountain biking or horseback riding, but a number of trails are perfect for hiking. Among them is the Padre Canyon Trail, which scales the side of a red rock canyon above Tuacahn Center for the Arts in Ivins, topping out at a saddle between Padre Canyon and Snow Canyon to offer spectacular views of both.

Whether you’re hiking, climbing or canyoneering, southwest Utah is the perfect place to get outside the lines this winter and spring.

St. George is conveniently located along Interstate 15, four hours south of Salt Lake City and only an hour-and-a-half north of Las Vegas. St. George has daily jet service on American, Delta and United Airlines.

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THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 51

Find a Great Winter Get-A-Way in Hendersonville Located in Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Hendersonville attracts visitors who want to escape busy schedules and reconnect with each other or with Mother Nature.

Over the last few years, savvy travelers have begun to take advantage of traditionally slower winter months with a visit to Hendersonville. Cool season hiking and zip lining offer clear views unobstructed by tree foliage, and a nice collection of breweries, wineries and cideries pour handcrafted concoctions year-round.

Once again this year, visitors to Hendersonville can take part in the Winter Getaway Program, a collection of special rewards and discounts at local accommodations, shops, restaurants and attractions.The program requires no fee to participate and runs through March 31.

Hendersonville’s variety of lodging options includes well-known chain and independent hotels, welcoming bed-and-breakfasts, intimate inns and charming vacation cabins.

One of the lodging options participating in the rewards program is the 26-acre Highland Lake Inn & Resort.Visitors can reserve a room in the historic hotel or a cabin or cottage. Located just south of Hendersonville in Flat Rock, the inn with roaring fireplaces and whirlpool tubs is especially appealing to couples looking for a romantic getaway.

Highland Lake’s winter reward includes two nights of discounted lodging with a full Southern breakfast each morning and a $50 voucher for the on-site Season’s restaurant.

Season’s specializes in creative dishes that reflect the time of year and locally available ingredients.

For visitors who prefer to stay in downtown Hendersonville, the 1898 Waverly Inn sits on North Main Street just steps from the shops and galleries.

Winter Getaway travelers who stay for two nights receive a third night free.The inn maintains the traditional charm of a 120-year-old inn with a large front porch, rooms named after

Southern wildflowers and a farmto-table breakfast. But the inn also includes such modern conveniences as free Wi-Fi and in-house spa services.

One of the newest hotels in Hendersonville,The Cascades Mountain Resort attracts families with its 110-foot indoor waterslide, pool and game room.Adults enjoy the secluded hot tub area.

Old Orchard Tavern, the on-site restaurant, serves lunch and dinner.

With the Winter Getaway Program, guests who stay two nights receive a $40 voucher for the tavern.

Downtown Hendersonville is known for its shops, galleries, museums and restaurants. Mast General Store — the popular WNC retailer that sells everything from candy to camping gear — occupies the 1905 Syndicate Building on Main Street. Peruse the clothing and shoes, culinary section and of course the barrels of old-timey sweets. Shoppers who participate in the Winter Getaway Program receive 20 percent off Mast General Store brand items.

Gem mining goes downtown at Hendersonville’s Pisgah Forest Gem Mine.Take $5 off a large bucket with the winter rewards program and hunt for treasure at the indoor sluices.Afterward, choose a favorite stone and have it made into a piece of jewelry.

The fastest, steepest zip line in the country lies southeast of Hendersonville in the Green River Gorge.The Gorge zip line experience includes 11 zips, three rappels and a sky bridge. Participants descend 1,100 feet in elevation throughout the course.Although winter zipping can be cold, the pay off comes in sweeping views of the surrounding forest and mountains.The Gorge offers $10 off per person with the Winter Getaway Program.

Although Hendersonville sits just south of the foodie capital of Asheville, the city’s food and beverage scene has emerged with a flavor all its own.There are 25 independent restaurants in the downtown area, as well as several great options just outside of town.

Flat Rock Wood Room combines award-winning smoked meats and wood-oven pizzas. Order the sampler platter to try smoked chicken breast,

St. Louis-style ribs, brisket and pulled pork. Or try one of the Neapolitan pizzas made with fresh crust and classic Italian ingredients.The two food styles come together in the Tangled Up Pork pizza, where shredded mozzarella is topped with pulled pork, barbecue sauce and onion straws.Take 15 to 20 percent off the bill, depending on group size, with the rewards program.

Western North Carolina has developed a reputation for its rich culture of beer, wine and spirits. Hendersonville’s Southern Appalachian Brewery serves creative yet approachable beers in its industrial-style taproom.This time of year, the full-bodied Black Bear Stout and traditional Copperhead Amber Ale are crowd-pleasers.The winter rewards program encourages customers to sample several Southern Appalachian brews by offering a free four-beer flight.

At Burntshirt Vineyards,Winter Getaway customers who buy one tasting get a second free.

The sprawling winery just east of downtown produces both dry and sweet wines. One of its standouts is the apple wine made with fruit from local orchards.The tasting room perched atop a hill with a vineyard view is an ideal place to while away a wintry afternoon.

To participate in the Winter Getaway Program, pick up a rewards card at the Visitor Center on South Main Street in Hendersonville or order the card online at www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org/WinterGetaway-Program.

52 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

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54 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

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Escape to Paradise: Alabama’s Gulf Coast When you need a change of scenery, a little sunshine and quality time with the people you love, grab your bags and escape to Alabama’s beautiful sugarwhite sand beaches. Not just a summertime destination, you will be pleasantly surprised with everything Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have to offer this time of the year.

Gulf State Park Does your family enjoy hiking, biking, fishing and nature?

Spend a day at Gulf State Park and you’ll hear your children ooh and aah when they spot an alligator basking in the sun in a

freshwater marsh, glimpsing a bobcat on the Twin Bridges Trail, or spying a white-tailed deer on Gulf Oak Ridge among the park’s 6,000 acres of pristine coastline and wildlife refuge. While there, check out the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail that includes more than 27 miles of paved, winding scenic paths.

Is your dream to catch “the big one?”Then the Alabama Gulf Coast is the place because the state park is a fisherman’s dreamcome-true. It has more than 900 acres of scenic freshwater lakes on one side, and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico on the opposite side.

You don’t even have to pack your

lucky fishing pole because rod and reel rentals are available at the pier.

The winter and early spring bring perfect fishing weather. When the water temperature drops, you will find plenty of amberjack, mullet, flounder, grouper and Spanish mackerel. Once you’ve caught the humongous fish, relax and have it cooked at more than two dozen restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

You’ll love visiting the nature center where you’ll see live animal displays including owls, rabbits, snakes and more which are native to the region. While there, check out the nature center’s guided nature walks, beach walks, pier walks as well as other educational programs.

Nature Lover’s Escape The Alabama Gulf Coast is a nature lover’s paradise, whether you enjoy paddling your way through serene waters on a kayak or paddleboard or watching dolphins play in the waves.

If your family enjoys camping in paradise, then discover one of the many campgrounds in the area.

Park your RV or setup your tent, and start enjoying the sugar-white sand beaches almost immediately.

Most campgrounds offer fullhookup campsites with paved pads that are large enough for RVs

with pullouts, and some have airconditioned bathhouses, camp stores, laundry facilities, swimming pools, tennis/pickle ball courts, horseshoes and volleyball courts to make your stay more enjoyable.

Learn more about the habitats of coastal Alabama at The Estuarium on Dauphin Island, the fourth largest estuary system in the United States. It is an exciting, educational aquarium that focuses on the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands and the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Your family will enjoy the educational and informative exhibit hall, the “oh-so-cool” sting ray touch pool and the scenic, living marsh boardwalk. The Estuarium has 31 aquariums totaling over 30,000 gallons with more than 100 species of plants and animals on display.

Lip Smacking, Finger Licking Good Food The variety of tastes, styles and flavors of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach’s award-winning restaurants is sure to please palettes. All you will hear is a lot of lip smacking, finger licking and “Mmm, mmm, this is good.” Most of the restaurants are kid-friendly, and some offer playgrounds and other activities.

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THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 55

Sequoia Foothills Celebrate 12th Annual ‘Hero Appreciation Months’ in 2018 The tiny art community of Three Rivers, California, located at the entrance to Sequoia National Park, says “thank you” to those who serve or have served in our Military or as First Responders with 20 percent discounts and special events, every January through March. Free passes for active Military at Lake Kaweah and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Every year in the Sequoia Foothills, from Jan. 1 - March 31, participating businesses say “thank you” by offering 20 percent off whatever we produce or provide (or equivalent gifts) to those who have served or are serving, in the Military or as a First Responder.

Participants include several of our artists, many of our restaurants and lodging places, horseback riding with Christy Wood of Wood ‘N’ Horse Training Stables, and even our brand-new Three Rivers Brewing Company!

For more information, contact community volunteers, Leah Catherine Launey or Peter Sodhy, by calling 559-5614270, emailing us at lclauney@ threeriversbedandbreakfast.com, or by going to our public face book page located at https://www. facebook.com/peter.sodhy.The information will be in our “Local Events — ­ coming soon!” face book album, where we post event fliers in chronological order.

We’d love to help you plan your visit and enjoy your discounts! In addition, all year round, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer free passes for active military, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Kaweah honors that pass.

Special Events Planned for Hero Appreciation Months 2018 Friday Jan. 26 Firefighters Celebration at Three Rivers Historical Museum in Three Rivers, Calif. with free beer, wine, hot soup, homemade bread and desserts. Individuals being honored each year go home with a unique piece of art from a Three Rivers

artist! Free. Open to the public.

Friday Feb. 23 Law Enforcement Celebration at Three Rivers Historical Museum in Three Rivers, Calif. with free beer, wine, hot soup, homemade bread and desserts. Individuals being honored each year go home with a unique piece of art from a Three Rivers artist! Free. Open to the public.

Friday Mar. 30 Armed Forces Celebration at Three Rivers Historical Museum in Three Rivers, Calif. with free beer, wine, hot soup, homemade bread and desserts. Individuals being honored each year go home with a unique piece of art from a Three Rivers artist! Past honorees include Veterans who served in Vietnam, Korea, and WWII. Free. Open to the public.

Saturday Mar. 31 Picnic with Bathtub Race for Charity at Lake Kaweah.Young and Young-At-Heart Pre-Registered Teams build floatable steerable boats from cast iron bathtubs and the raw materials we give them,

then race across Lake Kaweah and back for the charity of their choice!

Free. Open to the public.

For more information, about these events and more, contact community volunteers, Leah Catherine Launey or Peter Sodhy, by calling 559-561-

4270, emailing us at lclauney@ threeriversbedandbreakfast.com, or by going to our our public face book page located at https://www.facebook.com/ peter.sodhy. The information will be in our “Local Events - coming soon!” face book album, where we post event Fliers in chronological order.

56 • THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018

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Spring in the Lowcountry A Guide to the Spring Season in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Located along the South Carolina coastline, just east of Charleston, you’ll find the lively and charming town of Mount Pleasant. Founded in 1680, this Lowcountry town is minutes away from Historic Charleston and only a short bike ride to some of the area’s finest beaches. Here, the landscape is painted as much by its cool, summer breezes as it is by the people and businesses that inhabit it. Whether you’re looking for a weekend respite, an adventurous getaway, or simply a quick bite, there’s something for everyone in Mount Pleasant.

Get Outside!

With mild winters and idyllic summers, Mount Pleasant is a city best enjoyed outdoors. Grab a bike, kayak, paddleboard, or even just your favorite pair of running shoes, and get out and explore more than half a dozen parks Mount Pleasant has to offer.

Called the crown jewel of Mount Pleasant, Memorial Waterfront Park is more than just your average park. Located under the grand entryway to the town at the base of the Ravenel Bridge, this park has a lush lawn perfect for family picnics, a nautical-

themed playground, and soft-serve ice cream at the River Watch Cafe.

At the River Watch Café, enjoy beautiful views of the Charleston Harbor and the Mount Pleasant Pier, a 1,250-foot-long pier where

you can sit and swing a while, or try your hand at fishing. While you’re there, get a feel for the local culture at the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion, War Memorial, and Visitor Center.

Those seeking a bit of adventure can head to Palmetto Island County Park, a 943-acre expanse with nature trails, winding creeks, sand volleyball courts, and playgrounds galore.

No need to spend the day on foot, kayaks, bikes, and pedal boats are available daily for rental. Cool down at Splash Island Waterpark (open seasonally), and then check out the views from the 50-foot observation tower.

If it’s beach time you’re after, you need not travel far: A five minute drive will take you to the Isle of Palms or Sullivan’s Island, two nearby beach towns perfect for a seaside sojourn.

The waterfront views continue at Shem Creek, a working creek known for the many restaurants, pelicans, and shrimp boats that

call it home. Here, visitors can take advantage of kayaking or paddling expeditions provided by Coastal Expeditions and Nature Adventure Outfitters.

Let’s Eat! Beyond frequent dolphin sightings, Shem Creek also offers visitors a look at its many fishing boats, which have been supplying the town’s restaurants and farmers markets with local, wild-caught shrimp and crab for decades.

Seafood is a must in Mount Pleasant and can be enjoyed at live music hangouts like The Rusty Rudder and The Southern Bar & Grill. But the culinary options don’t stop there: newcomer Grace & Grit is a favorite for their grit flights and SOL Southwest Kitchen & Tequila Bar is frequented for its lineup of masterful margaritas.

Beer enthusiasts are in good company at locally beloved breweries Westbrook Brewing, Two Blokes Brewery, and Ghost Monkey Brewery.

TRAVEL USA Those seeking less of a buzz and more of a sugar remedy need look no further than the town’s Historic Old Village, where Pitt Street Pharmacy has been serving up sensational milkshakes and malts since 1937. More history exists just outside the drug store’s doors, where a series of stately 19th century homes adorn the neighborhood. Fans of the movie, The Notebook, might recognize the Old Village as one of the settings for the movie’s fictional town, Seabrook.

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Where Past Meets Present More of Mount Pleasant’s deeprooted history can be discovered at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, the state’s number one heritage attraction and the fourth largest naval museum in the country. Here, you’ll find the USS Yorktown, a decommissioned World War II vessel which has become a landmark fixture on the Charleston Harbor since its relocation to Patriots Point in 1975.

On the other end of town rests Boone Hall Plantation, one of America’s oldest working plantations whose history can be dated back to its founding in 1681. Easily recognized for the moss-draped oaks that line the ¾ mile drive up to the house, NBC Daytime television dubbed this natural corridor “a must-see stop on any trip to Charleston, S.C.” The historic property is now a destination for weddings and special events year-round, from autumn’s Taste of Charleston to January’s Lowcountry Oyster Festival, the world’s largest oyster festival.

A haven for foodies, fish enthusiasts, and history fanatics alike, Mount Pleasant offers visitors a place to call home, even if just for the weekend. For more ways to experience Mount Pleasant, visit ExperienceMountPleasant.com.

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TRAVEL USA

8 Reasons to Put Sevierville on Your Must-Visit List Sevierville,Tennessee, is quickly gaining attention from travelers who want a fun Smoky Mountain vacation with a side-helping of hometown appeal. Ranked a best small town to visit in 2015 by Smithsonian Magazine and a top honeymoon spot by Trip Advisor reviewers in 2017, this town is garnering accolades for all the right reasons. Here are the top eight reasons you should add Sevierville to your list of places to visit this year.

#1 The Great Smoky Mountains Located in the foothills of these ancient, majestic mountains, Sevierville’s views are incredible.

Venture a few miles up the road — the park entrance is less than 13 miles away — to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park.

While there, enjoy hiking, horseback riding, visiting historic farmsteads and more. Did you know: Great Smoky Mountains is one of the few national parks that are absolutely

free to enjoy.

#2 The Dolly World-wide entertainment icon Dolly Parton hails from Sevierville, Tennessee and her hometown has honored her with a bronze statue in the middle of the historic downtown district. Stop for a photo-op with the bronze beauty before making the quick trip to her nearby Dollywood theme park.

#3 The Food Southern cooking is good.

Really good. Check out the house specialties at places like Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant — a perennial visitor favorite — where every meal begins with a hearty helping of Applewood Fritters, apple butter and Applewood Julep. Get the fried chicken or the chicken pot pie — which, incidentally, is the size of a whole pie — and finish your meal with apple cobbler a la mode.

#4 The Shopping Sevierville has long been called the Shopping Capital of the Smokies, and for good reason. Not only will you find luxury items at discounted prices at places like Tanger Outlets Sevierville —which has more than 100 high end outlet stores — you’ll also find weird, wild and beautiful things at our boutiques, galleries and antique stores.

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TRAVEL USA

Bring along your golf clubs and enjoy two championship courses at the Sevierville Golf Club. Play the Highlands course through rolling foothills and set a tee-time for the River course, which winds along and across the west prong of the Little Pigeon River. Both are picturesque and offer challenging play.

#8 The Places to Stay

#5 The Museums This small town has big history on display. Explore the Tennessee Museum of Aviation,Tennessee’s official repository and archive for aviation history, and see warbird aircraft from WWII through Vietnam on display.The rarest aircraft in their collection are two airworthy P-47 Thunderbolts, given the names “Wicked Wabbit” and “Hun Hunter” during the second world war.There are fewer than 12 airworthy P-47 Thunderbolts remaining worldwide. Also, visit Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum, The Relic Room at Smoky Mountain Knife Works, and the Sevier County Heritage Museum.

#6 The Outdoor Adventure Building confidence, building a team, building a memory.There’s no better way to have fun together

than by immersing yourselves in a great outdoor adventure. When you visit Sevierville, make plans to zip line 400 feet above the forest floor, ride an ATV to Bluff Mountain’s summit and see all the way to Kentucky, brave class IV rapids on the Pigeon River, and hike to the top of Mt. LeConte to eat lunch above the clouds.

#7 The Sports The all-American pastime is full time fun in Sevierville. Catch a game with Sevierville’s own Tennessee Smokies Baseball team, double-A affiliates of the Chicago Cubs, and see up-and-coming players right here in the Smoky Mountains.The Tennessee Smokies play regular home game stretches from April through August each year.

Cozy cabins are a favorite with visitors to Sevierville. More like luxury homes than rustic shacks, these mountain mansions provide comfort and coziness at affordable rates. Looking for something splashier? Try one of Sevierville’s

THE GRIFFON • Winter 2018 • 59 two water park resorts. Wilderness at the Smokies Water Park Resort offers one indoor and two outdoor water parks, mini golf, an indoor dry playground, restaurants and more on site and is a favorite of families.The Resort at Governor’s Crossing also offers an indoor water park and is only a few minutes from Dollywood. Along the famed Parkway visitors will also find newly renovated hotels, condos and campgrounds — perfect for your Smoky Mountain vacation.

To learn more about visiting Sevierville and the Smoky Mountains this year, go to VisitSevierville.com.

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Be Daring and Win — Apply Military Special Operations Strategy for Business Success

By Chad Storlie

for SOF, highly skilled, dedicated, and experienced operators are the The motto of the United Kingdom’s Special Air Service (SAS), resource in shortest supply.You can get more helicopters, weapons and probably one of the world’s best Special Operations Forces (SOF) is, ammunition easily. Getting skilled crews to fly the helicopters and “Who Dares Wins.”The history of operate the weapons? That can the UK SAS, founded during World truly take years. Finally, SOF mission War II, is one of daring and victory planning lets intelligence and open across the globe.The UK SAS are discussion guide the final decision the leaders in hostage rescue, for a mission. If the intelligence desert warfare, and jungle fighting does not provide the detail to to name only a few areas of their achieve the outcome, then the vast military specialties. It is easy mission is rarely approved. to see how a highly trained group Military Special Operations of commandos can view risk and Forces (SOF) like the US Army risk taking seemingly with ease, but Special Forces (Green Beret), how can businesses take advantage The US Navy SEALS, the Air Force of Special Operations Forces (SOF) Para-Jumpers, and the US Marine concepts?

Corps Force Reconnaissance Before military SOF teams under view and approach risk in two take high-risk operations, they distinct segments: internal risk and slow the enthusiasm for a mission external risk. Internal risk, how the by conducting an emotionally organization trains and operates to detached, honest, and intelligence complete its missions, is an area, driven assessment of the mission. just as in business, where there The SOF team fully explores the is an extensive risk mitigation mission objectives and determines if they have the training, resources, process. Individuals are put through an extensive selection and training and skills to accomplish the process to ensure they meet the mission. One of the truly unique unit standards. Military operations attributes of SOF mission planning are extensively rehearsed to ensure is that personnel safety is one of their success on the battlefield. the preeminent principles of a successful operation. Why? Because New technology is tested

extensively without the rigorous of combat to make sure it performs.

Finally, potentially dangerous activities such as parachuting and underwater operations have rigorous standard operating procedures to ensure they are conducted as safely as possible.

In SOF, extensive internal Risk Mitigation procedures allow greater external risk for daring operations. SOF units are employed for high-risk external operations, such as hostage rescue, but their internal risk mitigation practices of training, planning, intelligence operations and contingency plans actually make them less risky in execution. Examples of risky SOF operations for high reward include the raid on Osama Bin Laden and the use of Army Special Forces as the first military forces to invade Afghanistan shortly after 9/11.

All of these operations contained very high external risk that was mitigated by the personnel, training, planning, and intelligence analysis that eventually made the operation’s successful. High risk and high reward operations is where military SOF creates the greatest impact to a successful military campaign. By using strong

internal risk mitigation and risk management principles, it allows greater success for externally risky operations where SOF has the greatest impact.

The internal and external risk frameworks apply equally well to business.The internal risk mitigation measures that most businesses have today fall into the categories of quality programs, personnel training, safety enforcement, manufacturing excellence, strong cost controls, and rigorous accounting standards creates organizations that can sustain and adapt to more risk.

Externally, a business with strong internal risk mitigation measures can look for greater opportunities that appear risky, but that their internal risk controls actually mitigate much of the true risk to the enterprise.

To help businesses undertake greater risk to win, these three SOF strategies and tactics can be applied to business in a simple and straightforward fashion.

Three Business Principles Special Operations Forces Employ to Win See BE DARING Pg. 62

HOMESCHOOL OPTIONS

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Homeschooling Facts and Trends There are about 2.3 million home-educated students in the United States as of spring 2016.This is up from one estimate that there were about two million children — in grades K to 12 — home educated during the spring of 2010 in the United States (Ray, 2011). It appears the homeschool population is continuing to grow at an estimated two to eight percent per annum over the past few years.

Homeschooling is an age-old traditional educational practice that a decade ago appeared to be cutting-edge and “alternative” but is now bordering on “mainstream” in the United States. It may be the fastestgrowing form of education in the United States.

A demographically wide variety of people homeschool — these are atheists, Christians, and Mormons; conservatives, libertarians, and liberals; low-, middle-, and high-income families; black, Hispanic, and white; parents with Ph.D.s, GEDs, and no high-school diplomas. One study shows that 32 percent of homeschool students are Black, Asian, Hispanic, and others (i.e., not White/non-Hispanic) (Noel, Stark, & Redford, 2013).

Families engaged in home-based education are not dependent on public, tax-funded resources for their children’s education.The finances associated with their homeschooling likely represent over $27 billion that American taxpayers do not have to spend, annually, since these children are not in public schools Taxpayers spend an average of $11,732 per pupil in public schools, plus capital expenditures.Taxpayers spend nothing on most homeschool students and homeschool families spend an average of $600 per student for their education.

Homeschooling is quickly growing in popularity among minorities.

About 15 percent of homeschool families are non-white/nonHispanic (i.e., not white/Anglo).

An estimated 3.4 million U.S. adults have been homeschooled for at least one year of their K-12 years, and they were homeschooled an average of six to eight years. If one adds to this number the 2.3 million being homeschooled today, an estimated 5.7 million Americans have experienced being homeschooled.

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Be Daring

Operational leaders create a “most likely” enemy operational plan Cont’d from page 60 of what they believe the enemy #1Train Well Beyond will do and then identify several Your Comfort Zone critical and identifiable junctures SOF training is incredibly in the estimated enemy plan.The physically and mentally demanding. identification of these critical The goal of all SOF combat training “action” points in a competitor’s is to make it as indistinguishable plan then creates your own from combat as possible so people “action” points. When you see are as well prepared as possible your competitor acting or about to succeed when they enter to act, you can implement a combat.The SOF training starts strategy to counter or mitigate your with identifying and recruiting competitor’s success. For example, great people and then testing if you expect a competitor to open them under a rigorous selection a new restaurant location, you may process to ensure they succeed examine your pricing, a frequent in training. Once the best have customer card, a menu redesign or been recruited and selected, then a certain special menu items in the series of training events bring them same geographic location. When to the level of a honed and skilled your competitor’s new restaurant SOF operator. Finally, personnel is about to open, you then can retention practices go hand-inlaunch the new menu, pricing, and hand with training to ensure highly specials to mitigate effectively your trained SOF personnel do not leave. competitor’s new location opening.

This is a fantastic way to stay not #2 Identify, Anticipate, and React Early to Events Critical to just one, but three or more steps ahead of the competition.

Your Competitors Success In both business and the military, #3 Create Contingency the classic question of “what will Plans to Solidify and my competitor do” confronts Exploit Your Success both organizations at all times.

Few businesses create plans In the military, Intelligence and and operational extensions to fully

exploit their success. One of the worst failures a business can have is to have a very successful product launch or a new service and then not be able to effectively expand or maintain the high levels of service that brought them the initial success. SOF teams have multiple, highly elaborate contingency plans for all parts of a special operations mission from infiltration to completing the mission objective to exfiltration from the mission area back to base. It is entirely possible to have a successful mission without exercising a contingency plan.

During the final days of World War II, a US Army Ranger Battalion, a skilled behind-the-lines commando force, was tasked to find and rescue Prisoners of War (POW) held in a Japanese camp.

American commanders feared that the POW’s would be moved or killed before conventional American forces reached the POW’s.The Rangers conducted rapid mission planning and then set out immediately to rescue the POW’s. When the Rangers successfully seized the camp, they discovered far more POW’s that had to be moved to safety.

The Rangers had created some basic contingencies and through prior coordination with friendly Philippine guerilla fighters, used ox carts to move the POW’s to safety.

Contingency plans saved the day for the Ranger’s.

Being as successful as possible in risky situations is an absolute must for military SOF and business organizations alike. How successful you are in a risky situation depends directly on how well you have trained and led your organization to mitigate internal risk so you can exploit external risk into success and long-term opportunity. Business needs to use the success they have created by have a strong internal risk mitigation strategy to identify and seize external opportunities to grow their company and grow their customer satisfaction.

Chad Storlie is an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at Creighton University, a retired US Army Special Forces Officer with 20+ years of service and an Iraq Combat Veteran. He is on widely published freelance author on military, veteran, leadership, higher education, and business topics. Follow Chad Storlie on Twitter @CombatToCorp or on LinkedIn.

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